Dive Brief:
- A report from Illinois legislators harshly criticizes the excessive benefits of some of the state’s public college leaders, including housing allowances, retention bonuses, severance packages, and country club memberships.
- The Chicago Tribune reports a special senate panel responding to the report intends to initiate state-run audits, limit contract lengths and cap severance packages.
- It also may require 30-day public review before public colleges can move forward with contract approval for top administrators, the Tribune reports.
Dive Insight:
Illinois’ College of DuPage has faced fierce criticism in recent months, first for revelations about its president’s spending sprees and then for news of his severance package, which topped $760,000. As the fight against excessive student loan debt spreads, colleges and universities are being taken to task for high tuition and their budgets are being more heavily scrutinized. This is especially true at public schools, where college operations are legally open to public review. Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has proposed major cuts to higher education this budget year, a proposal made easier to defend in light of irresponsible spending.