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HCC Told To Hone Business, Operational Practices

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By ADAM EMERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 28, 2007

TAMPA - Hillsborough Community College needs to improve its business and operational practices, particularly as they to cash controls, student-fee spending and land purchases, according to a state audit released today.

The Florida auditor general found 15 problems at the college when investigators reviewed HCC operations for the fiscal year that ended in June. Among the findings:

Student government members at the Brandon campus spent $14,026 in student fees on a trip to New York, and auditors contend the trip had no direct benefit for the school's students.

The college spent $5 million on Brandon property to house an automotive technology program, although an independent assessment found the property needed at least $240,000 in renovations. The college, auditors noted, didn't use that information to negotiate a lower purchase price.

HCC needs to improve its cash controls. For instance, too many people have access to petty cash, and cash was awarded without documented approval in some cases. Also, employees sometimes used school purchasing cards without documenting they had approval to do so.

In their review of cash controls, auditors were quick to note that they found no malfeasance. But, they wrote, "under these conditions, there is an increased risk that unauthorized petty cash disbursements could occur and not be timely detected."

In their response, HCC officials say they have strengthened petty cash controls and revamped their purchasing card program.

They quibbled over the cost and urgency of the renovations the independent assessor recommended for the Brandon property, however.

As for the student leaders' New York City trip: College officials noted that such trips often expose students "to a wider world view" and build leadership skills. They noted, though, that administrators will review student activity policies and pay "specific attention to learning outcomes anticipated from a funded activity."

Reporter Adam Emerson can be reached at (813) 259-8285 or aemerson@tampatrib.com.

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