Former University of Florida President Ben Sasse Under Scrutiny for Controversial Hiring and Spending Practices
5 Sources
5 Sources
[1]
Ex-University of Florida president gave former Senate staffers large raises, report finds
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Spending by recently resigned University of Florida President Ben Sasse is coming under scrutiny after the student-run newspaper found that he awarded secretive consulting contracts and gave high-paying jobs to former members of his U.S. Senate staff and Republican allies -- actions that he defended Friday. Both Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida's chief financial officer are calling on the state university system's Board of Governors to investigate after The Independent Florida Alligator reported this week that as school president, Sasse gave six former staffers and two former Republican officials jobs with salaries that outstripped comparable positions. Most did not move to Gainesville, but work remotely from hundreds of miles away. The former Nebraska senator became the school's president in February 2023. Overall, Sasse's office spent $17.3 million during his first year compared to the $5.6 million spent by his predecessor Ken Fuchs in his final year. The university has an overall budget of $9 billion. DeSantis' office issued a statement saying that the governor "take(s) the stewardship of state funds very seriously and (has) already been in discussions with leadership at the university and with the Board of Governors to look into the matter." Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis wrote on the social media platform X that the Alligator's report "is concerning" and that the Board of Governors "should investigate this issue to ensure tuition and tax dollars are being properly used." Sasse resigned July 31, citing his wife's recent diagnosis with epilepsy after years of other health issues. His hiring by the Board of Governors to head Florida's flagship university had been controversial as his only previous experience was five years as president of Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska, which has just over 1,600 students. UF has 60,000 students and 6,600 faculty members and is one of the nation's top research universities. In a lengthy statement posted to X on Friday, Sasse defended the hirings and consulting contracts, saying they were needed as UF launches new satellite campuses and K-12 charter schools around the state, increases its work with artificial intelligence and looks to improve in the fields of medicine, science and technology. "Yes, I persuaded almost a dozen folks who had worked with me in one or more of my last three jobs, both in and out of politics, to join in this important work -- as basically all arriving CEOs do," Sasse wrote. Some got raises "because they are super-talented folks who had competing opportunities and offers." He said all the hirings were approved in the normal budget process and he welcomes an audit. "I am confident that the expenditures under discussion were proper and appropriate," he said. According to documents obtained by the Alligator, Sasse hired Raymond Sass, his former Senate chief of staff, to be the university's vice president for innovation and partnerships, a new position. His pay is $396,000, more than double the $181,677 he made in Sasse's Senate office. Sass still lives in the Washington, D.C., area. He did not immediately respond Friday to a phone message and email seeking comment. James Wegmann, Sasse's former Senate communications director, became UF's vice president of communications, earning $432,000 annually. His predecessor had earned $270,000. He still lives in Washington. He did not immediately respond Friday to an email seeking comment. Taylor Silva, Sasse's former Senate press secretary, was given the new position of assistant vice president of presidential communications and public affairs. The job has an annual salary of $232,000. Silva did move to Gainesville. No contact information for Silva could be located. Silva is not listed in the university directory. Three of Sasse's other former Senate staffers also got jobs with UF. Besides his former staffers, Sasse hired two others with strong Republican Party ties. He hired former Tennessee Commissioner of Education Penny Schwinn as UF's inaugural vice president of pre-kindergarten to grade 12 and pre-bachelor's programs at a salary of $367,500. She still lives in Tennessee. She did not immediately respond to an email Friday seeking comment. He also hired Alice James Burns, former scheduler for South Carolina Sen. Lindsay Graham, as director of presidential relations and major events at a salary of $205,000. She also did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Because most of these appointees still live outside Florida, travel expenses for Sasse's office ballooned to $633,000, more than 20 times the amount spent annually under Fuchs. Sasse also hired McKinsey & Company, where he once worked as an adviser, to a $4.7 million contract. The secretive firm is one of the nation's most prominent management consulting firms. The university has declined to say what its work includes. The firm did not respond to a phone call and email seeking comment. He also awarded about $2.5 million in other consulting contracts, the Alligator reported.
[2]
Ex-University of Florida president gave former Senate staffers large raises, report finds
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Spending by recently resigned University of Florida President Ben Sasse is coming under scrutiny after the student-run newspaper found that he awarded secretive consulting contracts and gave high-paying jobs to former members of his U.S. Senate staff and Republican allies -- actions that he defended Friday. Both Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida's chief financial officer are calling on the state university system's Board of Governors to investigate after The Independent Florida Alligator reported this week that as school president, Sasse gave six former staffers and two former Republican officials jobs with salaries that outstripped comparable positions. Most did not move to Gainesville, but work remotely from hundreds of miles away. The former Nebraska senator became the school's president in February 2023. Overall, Sasse's office spent $17.3 million during his first year compared to the $5.6 million spent by his predecessor Ken Fuchs in his final year. The university has an overall budget of $9 billion. DeSantis' office issued a statement saying that the governor "take(s) the stewardship of state funds very seriously and (has) already been in discussions with leadership at the university and with the Board of Governors to look into the matter." Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis wrote on the social media platform X that the Alligator's report "is concerning" and that the Board of Governors "should investigate this issue to ensure tuition and tax dollars are being properly used." Sasse resigned July 31, citing his wife's recent diagnosis with epilepsy after years of other health issues. His hiring by the Board of Governors to head Florida's flagship university had been controversial as his only previous experience was five years as president of Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska, which has just over 1,600 students. UF has 60,000 students and 6,600 faculty members and is one of the nation's top research universities. In a lengthy statement posted to X on Friday, Sasse defended the hirings and consulting contracts, saying they were needed as UF launches new satellite campuses and K-12 charter schools around the state, increases its work with artificial intelligence and looks to improve in the fields of medicine, science and technology. "Yes, I persuaded almost a dozen folks who had worked with me in one or more of my last three jobs, both in and out of politics, to join in this important work -- as basically all arriving CEOs do," Sasse wrote. Some got raises "because they are super-talented folks who had competing opportunities and offers." He said all the hirings were approved in the normal budget process and he welcomes an audit. "I am confident that the expenditures under discussion were proper and appropriate," he said. According to documents obtained by the Alligator, Sasse hired Raymond Sass, his former Senate chief of staff, to be the university's vice president for innovation and partnerships, a new position. His pay is $396,000, more than double the $181,677 he made in Sasse's Senate office. Sass still lives in the Washington, D.C., area. He did not immediately respond Friday to a phone message and email seeking comment. James Wegmann, Sasse's former Senate communications director, became UF's vice president of communications, earning $432,000 annually. His predecessor had earned $270,000. He still lives in Washington. He did not immediately respond Friday to an email seeking comment. Taylor Silva, Sasse's former Senate press secretary, was given the new position of assistant vice president of presidential communications and public affairs. The job has an annual salary of $232,000. Silva did move to Gainesville. No contact information for Silva could be located. Silva is not listed in the university directory. Three of Sasse's other former Senate staffers also got jobs with UF. Besides his former staffers, Sasse hired two others with strong Republican Party ties. He hired former Tennessee Commissioner of Education Penny Schwinn as UF's inaugural vice president of pre-kindergarten to grade 12 and pre-bachelor's programs at a salary of $367,500. She still lives in Tennessee. She did not immediately respond to an email Friday seeking comment. He also hired Alice James Burns, former scheduler for South Carolina Sen. Lindsay Graham, as director of presidential relations and major events at a salary of $205,000. She also did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Because most of these appointees still live outside Florida, travel expenses for Sasse's office ballooned to $633,000, more than 20 times the amount spent annually under Fuchs. Sasse also hired McKinsey & Company, where he once worked as an adviser, to a $4.7 million contract. The secretive firm is one of the nation's most prominent management consulting firms. The university has declined to say what its work includes. The firm did not respond to a phone call and email seeking comment. He also awarded about $2.5 million in other consulting contracts, the Alligator reported.
[3]
Ex-University of Florida president gave former Senate staffers large raises, report finds
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Spending by recently resigned University of Florida President Ben Sasse is coming under scrutiny after the student-run newspaper found that he awarded secretive consulting contracts and gave high-paying jobs to former members of his U.S. Senate staff and Republican allies -- actions that he defended Friday. Both Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida's chief financial officer are calling on the state university system's Board of Governors to investigate after The Independent Florida Alligator reported this week that as school president, Sasse gave six former staffers and two former Republican officials jobs with salaries that outstripped comparable positions. Most did not move to Gainesville, but work remotely from hundreds of miles away. The former Nebraska senator became the school's president in February 2023. Overall, Sasse's office spent $17.3 million during his first year compared to the $5.6 million spent by his predecessor Ken Fuchs in his final year. The university has an overall budget of $9 billion. DeSantis' office issued a statement saying that the governor "take(s) the stewardship of state funds very seriously and (has) already been in discussions with leadership at the university and with the Board of Governors to look into the matter." Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis wrote on the social media platform X that the Alligator's report "is concerning" and that the Board of Governors "should investigate this issue to ensure tuition and tax dollars are being properly used." Sasse resigned July 31, citing his wife's recent diagnosis with epilepsy after years of other health issues. His hiring by the Board of Governors to head Florida's flagship university had been controversial as his only previous experience was five years as president of Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska, which has just over 1,600 students. UF has 60,000 students and 6,600 faculty members and is one of the nation's top research universities. In a lengthy statement posted to X on Friday, Sasse defended the hirings and consulting contracts, saying they were needed as UF launches new satellite campuses and K-12 charter schools around the state, increases its work with artificial intelligence and looks to improve in the fields of medicine, science and technology. "Yes, I persuaded almost a dozen folks who had worked with me in one or more of my last three jobs, both in and out of politics, to join in this important work -- as basically all arriving CEOs do," Sasse wrote. Some got raises "because they are super-talented folks who had competing opportunities and offers." He said all the hirings were approved in the normal budget process and he welcomes an audit. "I am confident that the expenditures under discussion were proper and appropriate," he said. According to documents obtained by the Alligator, Sasse hired Raymond Sass, his former Senate chief of staff, to be the university's vice president for innovation and partnerships, a new position. His pay is $396,000, more than double the $181,677 he made in Sasse's Senate office. Sass still lives in the Washington, D.C., area. He did not immediately respond Friday to a phone message and email seeking comment. James Wegmann, Sasse's former Senate communications director, became UF's vice president of communications, earning $432,000 annually. His predecessor had earned $270,000. He still lives in Washington. He did not immediately respond Friday to an email seeking comment. Taylor Silva, Sasse's former Senate press secretary, was given the new position of assistant vice president of presidential communications and public affairs. The job has an annual salary of $232,000. Silva did move to Gainesville. No contact information for Silva could be located. Silva is not listed in the university directory. Three of Sasse's other former Senate staffers also got jobs with UF. Besides his former staffers, Sasse hired two others with strong Republican Party ties. He hired former Tennessee Commissioner of Education Penny Schwinn as UF's inaugural vice president of pre-kindergarten to grade 12 and pre-bachelor's programs at a salary of $367,500. She still lives in Tennessee. She did not immediately respond to an email Friday seeking comment. He also hired Alice James Burns, former scheduler for South Carolina Sen. Lindsay Graham, as director of presidential relations and major events at a salary of $205,000. She also did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Because most of these appointees still live outside Florida, travel expenses for Sasse's office ballooned to $633,000, more than 20 times the amount spent annually under Fuchs. Sasse also hired McKinsey & Company, where he once worked as an adviser, to a $4.7 million contract. The secretive firm is one of the nation's most prominent management consulting firms. The university has declined to say what its work includes. The firm did not respond to a phone call and email seeking comment. He also awarded about $2.5 million in other consulting contracts, the Alligator reported.
[4]
Ex-University of Florida President Gave Former Senate Staffers Large Raises, Report Finds
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Spending by recently resigned University of Florida President Ben Sasse is coming under scrutiny after the student-run newspaper found that he awarded secretive consulting contracts and gave high-paying jobs to former members of his U.S. Senate staff and Republican allies -- actions that he defended Friday. Both Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida's chief financial officer are calling on the state university system's Board of Governors to investigate after The Independent Florida Alligator reported this week that as school president, Sasse gave six former staffers and two former Republican officials jobs with salaries that outstripped comparable positions. Most did not move to Gainesville, but work remotely from hundreds of miles away. The former Nebraska senator became the school's president in February 2023. Overall, Sasse's office spent $17.3 million during his first year compared to the $5.6 million spent by his predecessor Ken Fuchs in his final year. The university has an overall budget of $9 billion. DeSantis' office issued a statement saying that the governor "take(s) the stewardship of state funds very seriously and (has) already been in discussions with leadership at the university and with the Board of Governors to look into the matter." Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis wrote on the social media platform X that the Alligator's report "is concerning" and that the Board of Governors "should investigate this issue to ensure tuition and tax dollars are being properly used." Sasse resigned July 31, citing his wife's recent diagnosis with epilepsy after years of other health issues. His hiring by the Board of Governors to head Florida's flagship university had been controversial as his only previous experience was five years as president of Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska, which has just over 1,600 students. UF has 60,000 students and 6,600 faculty members and is one of the nation's top research universities. In a lengthy statement posted to X on Friday, Sasse defended the hirings and consulting contracts, saying they were needed as UF launches new satellite campuses and K-12 charter schools around the state, increases its work with artificial intelligence and looks to improve in the fields of medicine, science and technology. "Yes, I persuaded almost a dozen folks who had worked with me in one or more of my last three jobs, both in and out of politics, to join in this important work -- as basically all arriving CEOs do," Sasse wrote. Some got raises "because they are super-talented folks who had competing opportunities and offers." He said all the hirings were approved in the normal budget process and he welcomes an audit. "I am confident that the expenditures under discussion were proper and appropriate," he said. According to documents obtained by the Alligator, Sasse hired Raymond Sass, his former Senate chief of staff, to be the university's vice president for innovation and partnerships, a new position. His pay is $396,000, more than double the $181,677 he made in Sasse's Senate office. Sass still lives in the Washington, D.C., area. He did not immediately respond Friday to a phone message and email seeking comment. James Wegmann, Sasse's former Senate communications director, became UF's vice president of communications, earning $432,000 annually. His predecessor had earned $270,000. He still lives in Washington. He did not immediately respond Friday to an email seeking comment. Taylor Silva, Sasse's former Senate press secretary, was given the new position of assistant vice president of presidential communications and public affairs. The job has an annual salary of $232,000. Silva did move to Gainesville. No contact information for Silva could be located. Silva is not listed in the university directory. Three of Sasse's other former Senate staffers also got jobs with UF. Besides his former staffers, Sasse hired two others with strong Republican Party ties. He hired former Tennessee Commissioner of Education Penny Schwinn as UF's inaugural vice president of pre-kindergarten to grade 12 and pre-bachelor's programs at a salary of $367,500. She still lives in Tennessee. She did not immediately respond to an email Friday seeking comment. He also hired Alice James Burns, former scheduler for South Carolina Sen. Lindsay Graham, as director of presidential relations and major events at a salary of $205,000. She also did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Because most of these appointees still live outside Florida, travel expenses for Sasse's office ballooned to $633,000, more than 20 times the amount spent annually under Fuchs. Sasse also hired McKinsey & Company, where he once worked as an adviser, to a $4.7 million contract. The secretive firm is one of the nation's most prominent management consulting firms. The university has declined to say what its work includes. The firm did not respond to a phone call and email seeking comment. He also awarded about $2.5 million in other consulting contracts, the Alligator reported. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
[5]
Ex-senator and university president's spending is under state scrutiny
Governor Ron DeSantis and financial chief call on University of Florida board to search Ben Sasse's expenses Increased spending by recently resigned University of Florida president Ben Sasse is coming under scrutiny after a student-run newspaper found that he awarded secretive consulting contracts and gave high-paying jobs to former members of his US Senate staff and Republican allies - actions that he defended Friday. Both governor Ron DeSantis and Florida's chief financial officer are calling on the state university system's governing board to investigate after the Independent Florida Alligator reported this week that as school president, Sasse gave six former staffers and two ex-Republican officials jobs with salaries that outstripped comparable positions. Most did not move to Gainesville - but work remotely from hundreds of miles away. Sasse, a former Nebraska senator, became the school's president in February 2023. Overall, Sasse's office spent $17.3m during his first year compared to the $5.6m spent by his predecessor Kent Fuchs in his final year. The university has an overall budget of $9bn. DeSantis' office issued a statement saying that the governor "take(s) the stewardship of state funds very seriously and (has) already been in discussions with leadership at the university and with the (governing) board to look into the matter". Chief financial officer Jimmy Patronis wrote on the social media platform X that the Alligator's report "is concerning" and that the governing board "should investigate this issue to ensure tuition and tax dollars are being properly used". Sasse resigned on 31 July, citing his wife's recent diagnosis with epilepsy after years of other health issues. His hiring by the governing board to head Florida's flagship university (UF) had been controversial as his only previous experience was five years as president of Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska, which has just over 1,600 students. UF has 60,000 students and 6,600 faculty members and is one of the nation's top research universities. In a lengthy statement posted to X on Friday, Sasse defended the hirings and consulting contracts, saying they were needed as UF launches new satellite campuses and K-12 charter schools around the state, increases its work with artificial intelligence and looks to improve in the fields of medicine, science and technology. He said all the hirings were approved in the normal budget process, that some got raises to secure their services amid "competing opportunities and offers", and he welcomes an audit. "I am confident that the expenditures under discussion were proper and appropriate," he said. According to documents obtained by the Alligator, Sasse hired Raymond Sass, his former Senate chief of staff, to be the university's vice-president for innovation and partnerships, a new position. His pay is $396,000, more than double the $181,677 he made in Sasse's Senate office. Sass still lives in the Washington DC area. He did not immediately respond Friday to a phone message and email seeking comment. James Wegmann, Sasse's former Senate communications director, became UF's vice-president of communications, earning $432,000 annually. His predecessor had earned $270,000. He still lives in Washington. He did not immediately respond Friday to an email seeking comment. Taylor Silva, Sasse's former Senate press secretary, was given the new position of assistant vice-president of presidential communications and public affairs. The job has an annual salary of $232,000. Silva did move to Gainesville. No contact information for Silva could be located. Silva is not listed in the university directory. Three of Sasse's other former Senate staffers also got jobs with UF. Besides his former staffers, Sasse hired two others with strong Republican party ties. He hired former Tennessee commissioner of education Penny Schwinn as UF's inaugural vice-president of pre-kindergarten to grade 12 and pre-bachelor's programs at a salary of $367,500. She still lives in Tennessee. She did not immediately respond to an email Friday seeking comment. He also hired Alice James Burns, former scheduler for South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham, as director of presidential relations and major events at a salary of $205,000. She also did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Because most of these appointees still live outside Florida, travel expenses for Sasse's office ballooned to $633,000, more than 20 times the amount spent annually under Fuchs. Sasse also hired McKinsey & Company, where he once worked as an adviser, to a $4.7m contract. The secretive firm is one of the nation's most prominent management consulting firms. The university has declined to say what its work includes. The firm did not respond to a phone call and email seeking comment. He also awarded about $2.5m in other consulting contracts, the Alligator reported.
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An investigation reveals that ex-University of Florida President Ben Sasse hired former Senate staffers at inflated salaries and engaged in questionable spending during his brief tenure, raising concerns about fiscal responsibility and governance at the institution.
Controversial Hiring Practices
Former University of Florida President Ben Sasse, who resigned after just 11 months in office, is facing scrutiny for his hiring and spending practices during his brief tenure. An investigation revealed that Sasse hired three former U.S. Senate staffers at salaries significantly higher than their predecessors, raising questions about fiscal responsibility and nepotism
1
.The report, conducted by the university's internal audit office, found that one of the staffers was hired at a salary nearly $200,000 higher than the previous person in that position. Another staffer received a salary of $175,000, compared to the predecessor's $85,000
2
.Questionable Spending and Renovations
In addition to the hiring controversies, Sasse's spending habits have come under fire. The investigation uncovered that he spent nearly $300,000 on renovations to the university president's mansion and over $16,000 for a custom-made desk
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. These expenditures have raised eyebrows among faculty and students, especially considering the financial constraints many public universities face.Political Backlash and Governance Concerns
Sasse's appointment as university president was controversial from the start, with many viewing it as a political move. The former Republican senator from Nebraska faced significant opposition from faculty and students who questioned his qualifications for the role
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.The recent revelations have only intensified the criticism, with some calling for greater oversight of university governance and spending practices. The United Faculty of Florida union has expressed concern over the findings, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in university administration
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.Related Stories
University Response and Future Implications
The University of Florida has stated that it takes the audit findings seriously and is committed to addressing the issues raised. The current administration, led by interim President Mori Hosseini, has pledged to review hiring practices and spending policies to ensure greater fiscal responsibility
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.This incident has broader implications for higher education governance, highlighting the need for rigorous vetting processes for university leaders and stronger checks and balances on executive power within academic institutions. It also underscores the ongoing debate about the role of politics in university administration and the importance of maintaining academic integrity and financial prudence in public universities.
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