Keeping You Informed — November 15, 2011
Dear Faculty & Staff:
Recent events surrounding our Parking and Transit Department have resulted in media coverage of our university.
While our campus community is overcoming a loss — one that cannot be measured monetarily — we are also reaffirming our commitment to professionalism and accountability, and taking confident steps forward.
Initial problems encountered in 2007 by the Parking and Transit Department, prior to my tenure as president, were addressed appropriately with additional internal controls that included computerized systems added to two existing pay parking lots and to the Taft Street Parking Garage. Cameras were also installed in parking booths and at the office of the Parking and Transit Department to monitor transactions.
During my tenure, we have added more internal controls. As a result of this more focused attention, additional issues were discovered earlier this year. We have and continue to implement immediate improvements and are ready to move forward with additional solutions based on the latest industry standards.
Here are some steps and solutions we have implemented and are working toward:
- On May 17, 2011, the Office of the Vice President for Administration and Finance directed all department heads to implement stronger internal controls over cash receipts to prevent the mishandling of funds and to safeguard against loss.
- On May 25, 2011, that office created a funds handling compliance accountant position to review cash collection areas throughout the university. This accountant also advises departments and cashiers of cash-handling policies and procedures and conducts reviews to ensure compliance with those procedures.
- Two weeks ago, I placed University Police Chief Joey Sturm in charge of overseeing the department and requested a total review of the department’s operations.
- Alternative parking collection methods are being researched, including a parking system that only accepts credit/debit cards or the Cajun Card in pay lots.
- And, the university is in the process of hiring an additional auditor who will be assigned full-time to the Parking and Transit Department.
- External auditors will continue, as they have in the past, to review university accounts.
I want to reaffirm that the entire university takes the responsibility of professionalism in the delivery of our services very seriously. I will continue to make improvements as warranted to ensure accountability in all departments.
Every day, hundreds of UL Lafayette employees do their jobs with a commitment to serve our students, the community and the state in an appropriate manner. I thank you for that commitment.
Sincerely,
E. Joseph Savoie
President
president@louisiana.edu