Governor Ron DeSantis has initiated an inquiry into the spending habits of the former University of Florida President, Ben Sasse, following revelations from the university’s student newspaper that spending had significantly increased under his administration.
The investigation aims to understand the reasons behind the rise in expenses from $5.6 million to $17.3 million during the transition in presidency.
Spending Surge Under Sasse’s Leadership
The increase in expenses at the University of Florida, reported to have tripled during Ben Sasse’s first year compared to his predecessor, Kent Fuchs, is now under scrutiny.
A significant portion of this budget was allocated to consulting firms and to creating remote positions for individuals who previously worked with Sasse during his time as a senator.
Governor’s Official Statement on Financial Inquiry
In response to these financial concerns, Governor DeSantis’s office, through his communications director Bryan Griffin, confirmed that “discussions with the university and the Florida Board of Governors are underway” to delve deeper into the matter.
The state looks to explore the details and justification behind the increased expenditures.
State Financial Oversight Reaction
Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, Jimmy Patronis, expressed concerns about the financial management under Sasse, describing the spending as “exorbitant.”
He stated that his department, the Florida Department of Financial Services, will assist in the inquiry by offering auditing services to ensure thorough evaluation of the financial activities during Sasse’s tenure.
Ben Sasse Responds to Spending Criticisms
Ben Sasse defended the increased expenses in a detailed statement posted on X, formerly Twitter.
He said, “Now, it is true that there was substantial funding for a number of important new initiatives. I am very happy to defend each and every one of these initiatives…”
Sasse’s Rationale for University Reforms
Further elaborating on his vision for the University of Florida, Sasse stated, “I am unabashedly for big reform in higher education.”
He added, “This has never been a secret — certainly not when I was being pursued and publicly vetted for the UF presidency.”
Broad Support for Sasse’s Presidency Initially
Despite current inquiries, it’s noted that Sasse received significant support upon his appointment.
This was evidenced by “the unanimous support two years ago of the Board of Trustees — followed by the near-unanimous support (one dissenting vote) of the Board of Governors.”
Justification of Staffing Decisions by Sasse
Addressing his staffing choices, Sasse explained that one of his conditions for accepting the position was the opportunity to bring along trusted colleagues from previous roles.
He said, “One of my preconditions in agreeing to accept this calling was being able to bring big-cause, trusted people from my last few teams along to help build a stronger, more dynamic UF…”
Financial Oversight and Approval Processes at UF
Sasse also pointed out that during his tenure, the university’s financial management practices were standard and approved.
He highlighted that “the budget went through the appropriate approval process,” indicating that the expenditures were formally sanctioned at the time.
DeSantis’ Role in University Affairs
Regarding his involvement, Governor DeSantis clarified his position, stating, “I don’t know how it developed,” and emphasized that his role was not direct in selecting or overseeing Sasse’s appointment.
He expressed trust in the University of Florida’s board to manage the ongoing selection process for a new president.
Return of Kent Fuchs as Interim President
Following Ben Sasse’s resignation, Kent Fuchs has reassumed the role of interim president since August 1.
The university continues its search for a new president amidst ongoing financial investigations and leadership transitions.
Future Steps for University of Florida
As the university navigates through these challenges, the focus remains on transparency and accountability in leadership and financial management.
The outcomes of the ongoing inquiries are awaited to determine the next steps in governance and fiscal oversight at the University of Florida.
