The University refunded three South Korean scholars for tuition and fees their sponsors paid to a fellowship program now being phased out following an audit of its accounting practices, according to an Oregon University System memo.
The Institute for Policy Research and Innovation’s fellowship program came under scrutiny spring 2005 after Jean Stockard, former head of the Planning, Public Policy and Management Department, alleged it charged the students up to $20,000 without providing services it advertised, according to a Jan. 3 tort document sent to University administrators by Stockard’s attorney.
Stockard resigned Thursday, claiming the University retaliated against her for “whistleblowing.” She said she plans to file suit in federal court. The University denies the allegations, saying Stockard acted properly in reporting her concerns.
The audit by the OUS’ Internal Audit Division found “there was a lack of program documentation between the scholars and the institute, as was alleged.” However, it determined the “UO management adequately resolved the matter” because “payments made by the three Korean scholars were returned.”
The IPRI will also “not accept any future foreign fellows related to this program,” according to the audit.
The Oct. 28 audit memo was addressed to IPRI Director and PPPM professor Michael Hibbard and seven other professors and administrators.
Hibbard said the experimental program is in the process of being phased out. He said there are still two scholars at the University finishing out the fellowship. His wife, PPPM professor Judith Hibbard, said they were “quite happy with the program.”
The South Korean students required documentation for their stays to satisfy their governmental and corporate sponsors, but didn’t receive it from Hibbard when they requested it, according to the tort letter.
When the students continued to complain to Hibbard, he advised the Korean students by e-mail on April 19 that they should leave the University, according to the tort letter.
Stockard noted that the students might lose their visas if they left the program, the letter says.
Hibbard would not comment on whether the program was successful, his relationship to Stockard or her resignation.
Patricia Snopkowski, director of the IAD, said that at the time of the memo, the University made arrangements “to refund the money of the scholars, were re-evaluating the IPRI center and were providing central fiscal oversight and guidance to the center.”
She said the “inconsistent treatment of the scholars” was regarding that not all of the scholars had received full refunds at the time of the audit. As a result, IAD requested the University review the scholars to ensure consistent treatment.
“The center was also obtaining instruction on standard university practices for setting up research grant and contracts with foreign government entities,” she wrote.
The University placed the IPRI on temporary probation while the audit was conducted, according to a written statement Thursday by University General Counsel Melinda Grier and School of Architecture and Allied Arts Dean Frances Bronet.
Stockard plans to file suitIn an e-mail to PPPM students and faculty Thursday, Stockard said she is “seeking legal redress” against the University for what she claims is “retaliation and reprisal” for advocating on behalf of the students.
Stockard’s attorney, Portland employment lawyer Craig Crispin, said a federal suit against the University could be filed within 90 days. A supplemental tort letter must first be filed to give notice to the University of Stockard’s intent to sue. That letter should be filed by the end of this week, he said.
In a Dec. 27 letter, Bronet informed Stockard that she would be removed as head unless she voluntarily resigns.
Bronet wrote in the letter to Stockard that faculty brought concerns to her attention about Stockard’s “behavior over the last few months.”
“My understanding is that the department is eager to move forward from the problems that arose around IPRI,” Bronet said in the letter. “Concerns about you continuing as department head do not arise from that disagreement but because faculty members have expressed concerns.”
“The University has not, nor would it, take any actions to retaliate against Professor Stockard for expressing her concerns,” according to the University’s statement.
New dean holds forum Bronet and new PPPM Dean Richard Margerum held a forum Monday night to field questions from PPPM graduate students.
Margerum said the forum was meant to explore different structures to take student feedback, such as an ombudsperson, unaffiliated group or alumni. The forum was not intended to be a review of the situation regarding Stockard’s resignation, he said.
We are trying to “get some concrete steps and actions to move things forward,” Margerum said. “To make sure this doesn’t spill over to academic arenas.”
Several graduate students expressed concerns about how graduate students could feel safe to express grievances if a tenured professor who is dean of a department can be retaliated against for expressing her concerns. They also said procedures regarding the general removal of department heads are unclear and that they were unaware of a current body to voice routine faculty complaints to.
Margerum said the PPPM department plans to take the input and decide on an appropriate avenue to address more of students’ concerns.
The discussion began with multiple questions about Stockard’s resignation.
“We’d like to be able to discuss it, but we can’t,” Margerum said.
Some students expressed feeling “blind-sided” by an e-mail Stockard sent to graduate students and PPPM faculty regarding her resignation.
They also asked why there was no response from the University to explain why Stockard was asked to resign.
“It’s like faculty against faculty, and students are taking sides too,” graduate student Jessica Nunley said. “I think that’s a totally bogus atmosphere.”
Graduate student David Rae said the administration is handling the situation contrary to how students are taught in class.
“The stuff we’re taught is principles of collaborativeness, communication and the concept of transparency,” he said.
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