UNO ‘Fund A’ Draft Audit Overview and Frequently Asked Questions

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Division of Student Life and Wellbeing (SLW) requested a University of Nebraska (NU) System audit in Spring 2024 of the use of ‘Fund A’ dollars by UNO Student Government Agencies.

The primary concern of UNO is the financial stewardship of ‘Fund A’ dollars as required by Board of Regents Policy 5.9.1 (RP-173) and applicable campus policies.

On Oct. 29, an NU System internal auditor and SLW leadership met with members of UNO Student Government to present the draft findings of the audit.

Because the audit is in draft phase, it will not be considered final until SLW and UNO Student Government have worked together to respond to the findings and determined action steps to meet compliance. In addition, Student Agencies are not being dissolved and their directors are still in place.

UNO and SLW look forward to working closely with UNO Student Government, its Student Agencies, and the NU System internal audit team to review and clarify the audit’s findings and find solutions for the Agencies moving forward.

Below are answers to frequently asked questions about the audit process from UNO students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members. Questions are being collected to forward to the audit team and can be submitted to unostudentlife@unomaha.edu.

FAQ: Audit of UNO Student Government’s ‘Fund A’ Usage

What is Fund A?

Fund A is a semesterly fee paid by students who take classes on-campus. Per Board of Regents policy, Fund A only supports three areas: Student Government, Student Programming, and Student Newspaper. Fund A allocations are determined annually by the Student Activities Budget Commission (SABC), approved by Student Government, voted on by the student body, and finally approved by the Chancellor.

Isn’t Fund A considered student money?

Fund A is the portion of student fees designated for student activities and distributed according to the approved student government annual budget. However, once collected, these funds become a state resource and must be used according to State Statutes, Board of Regents policies, and UNO Campus policies.

Who requested the audit?

The Division of Student Life and Wellbeing (SLW) leadership requested the audit in Spring 2024 following an internal review of Agency purchases. This review was done in collaboration with the Milo Bail Student Center (MBSC) Business Office, which manages Fund A accounts for Student Government, Maverick Productions, and The Gateway.

Why was an audit requested, and why were purchases under review?

The audit was requested due to two anonymous concerns submitted by students during the SABC process, which were received by SLW leadership and the SABC commission. The concerns led to a review of relevant purchases over the past year. Notable issues included non-students benefiting from Fund A purchases and concerns about inadequate “checks and balances” for Fund A usage, including where items were being shipped. As some non-compliant purchases had previously been approved by university staff, an internal audit was requested to ensure transparency, compliance with NU System policies, and guidance on procedure and protocol.

What is Internal Audit and Advisory Services (IAAS)?

IAAS provides objective assurance and consulting services for the NU System and reports directly to the Audit Committee of the Board of Regents. IAAS has the authority to audit all university components and access complete records as necessary. Their mission is to provide an unbiased assessment based on relevant information without external influence.

Why is there talk online about Student Life “defunding” Student Agencies?

One finding from the audit was that some Agencies’ work does not serve a broad base of the student population, as required by Board of Regents policy. To comply, SLW will not approve purchases that don’t meet policy criteria. It is important to note funds allocated for Agencies remain within Student Government’s budget. The audit also recommended reviewing and updating current Board of Regents policies. Until this process is completed, UNO is obligated to follow policy as written. UNO and SLW will work closely with UNO Student Government, its Student Agencies, and the NU System internal audit team to review and clarify the audit’s findings and find solutions for the Agencies moving forward.

Were students included in the audit process or discussions?

Yes. Outgoing Student Government leadership was briefed on the audit in March 2024, with current leadership briefed in May 2024. The audit team met with current executives in July 2024, allowing them to ask questions, although they could not influence the audit’s findings. The opportunity to respond and provide input in collaboration with staff and administrators began on Oct. 29 when the draft audit was presented to Student Government.

Were staff or administrators included in the audit process or discussions?

UNO staff provided information to the audit team about purchasing processes, policies, and specific transactions as requested. SLW and MBSC Business Office staff received a progress update in mid-September. Staff were able to review a draft report in mid-October. The current collaborative review process allows for questions and input from both students and administrators. The opportunity to influence the outcomes in collaboration with staff and administrators began on Oct. 29 when the draft audit was presented to Student Government.

What’s next?

UNO administration and student leaders will work together to respond to the draft report’s recommendations and develop a roadmap for compliance that serves UNO’s needs. Future collaboration will shape a compliance path forward. Once finalized, the report will be submitted to the Board of Regents.