Despite major budget cuts to the UW System, the number of UW System employees earning more than $100,000 has increased in the past six years, according to the results of an audit released Friday.
The audit is raising concerns about UW System spending and hiring at the administrative level. It comes at the same time UW System officials argue for more competitive salaries and course funding. The notable findings also included the addition of 89 administrative positions in the last year.
At the request of the state Legislature's Joint Audit Committee, the Legislative Audit Bureau conducted an evaluation of UW System administrative staffing and salaries from 1998-2003. To account for major budget cuts that occurred during the 2003-'05 biennium, the study also included payroll date from March 2005.
\It is a major concern right now,"" said state Rep. and Audit Committee co-chair Suzanne Jeskewitz, R-Menomonee Falls. ""The university is saying they have to limit enrollment because they don't have enough instructors because the budget is tight. But when you see administration rising and you don't see faculty numbers rise, that's serious.""
The Audit Committee offered several recommendations for the UW System, including possible legislative control of the number of employees.
UW System officials worry the results of the audit will lead to greater system budget restrictions than those already implemented. The $250 million in budget cuts by the state in the past year have resulted in a 14 percent increase in student tuition.
""The university budget has been cut very severely over the past years, and my concern is that the committee will use this audit to divert attention from the needs of the university and the students,"" said state Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison. ""I am concerned that some who are not friends of the university within the legislature will use this audit as an excuse to cut funding even further and raise tuition even more.""
UW System President Kevin Reilly pointed out the UW System has the lowest administrative expenditures among its 18 peer institutions in the United States. However, he plans to cooperate with the Audit Committee to be ""as sensible with each state tax dollar as the people of Wisconsin would be.""
""We fully embrace the bureau's recommendations,"" Reilly said. ""We will use this study in our ongoing efforts to improve our administrative processes and to operate more efficiently.""
The UW System will report to the Legislative Committee on administrative expenditures and operations by Feb. 1.
