Gainesville, Florida: Unraveling Controversial Hires at University of Florida
Things have gotten a bit dicey over at the University of Florida lately, thanks to some eyebrow-raising spending habits of former president Ben Sasse. The Independent Florida Alligator, a student-run paper, recently dropped a bombshell report that revealed Sasse’s pattern of handing out high-paying jobs and consulting deals to former staffers and political allies during his short tenure. And now, both Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida’s chief financial officer are stepping in, calling for a closer look at what’s been happening.
Sasse’s Controversial Tenure
Ben Sasse, who previously served as a Nebraska senator, took the reins at UF in February 2023. However, he didn’t stick around for long and resigned by July 31, citing his wife’s health issues as the reason. His appointment to lead Florida’s flagship university was already controversial, considering his only notable background was in a smaller university with just over 1,600 students, compared to UF’s whopping 60,000 students and 6,600 faculty members.
Hikes in Spending
So, what’s the crux of the matter? During his first year, Sasse’s office racked up a staggering $17.3 million in expenses. To put it in perspective, his predecessor, Kent Fuchs, spent only $5.6 million in his final year. With the university’s overall budget sitting at around $9 billion, it’s easy to see why the governor’s office is concerned.
The Alligator’s report attracted attention after detailing how Sasse awarded jobs to six former Senate staffers and two Republican officials, with salaries that blew past those of comparable roles. Some of these hires even chose to work remotely from hundreds of miles away, instead of relocating to Gainesville.
DeSantis and Patronis Weigh In
In response to the report, DeSantis’ office released a statement emphasizing the importance of managing state funds with care. They mentioned that discussions have already begun with university leadership to get to the bottom of this spending spree. Florida’s chief financial officer, Jimmy Patronis, hopped onto social media to express concerns, urging the university’s governing board to investigate how tuition and tax dollars are being used.
Sasse Defends His Decisions
Despite the backlash, Sasse stood his ground in a lengthy statement posted on social media. He argued that these hires and contracts were crucial for launching new initiatives at UF, including satellite campuses and K-12 charter schools. He also claimed that the hirings went through the normal budget process and were necessary to attract talent amid competitive offers.
He stated, “I am confident that the expenditures under discussion were proper and appropriate,” and even welcomed an audit of his office’s spending.
Salary Outrage
Even more bewildering is the salary situation for some of Sasse’s hires. For instance, Raymond Sass, Sasse’s former Senate chief of staff, took the newly created role of vice-president for innovation and partnerships, raking in $396,000—more than double what he was earning before. Similarly, James Wegmann, the former communications director for Sasse, landed the job as vice-president of communications with a salary of $432,000, significantly more than his predecessor’s $270,000.
Other notable hires include Taylor Silva (who was given a $232,000 job) and two Republican party affiliates. One of them even relocated just to take up her role, while most continued to live far away, contributing to travel expenses soaring to $633,000—a staggering figure compared to previous years.
Expensive Consultations
And if that wasn’t enough, Sasse also inked a deal with consulting giant McKinsey & Company for a $4.7 million contract and handed out another $2.5 million in various consulting contracts. Curiously, the university hasn’t disclosed exactly what McKinsey’s work entails, and the firm hasn’t commented on the situation.
What Lies Ahead?
As the dust settles, the pressure mounts on the university’s governing board to get to the bottom of these questionable spending habits. With both state officials and the community keeping a close eye on what unfolds, the future of UF’s financial decisions is sure to be a hot topic for some time to come.
