Higher Education diet tips for government

Social Services  Transportation  K-12  Higher Education Local Government  Budget & Taxes  Health Care Audit Reports  Complete List  Success Stories How can we make sure dollars are going to students, and not to the waste-line? Try these for starters: UW’s $1.3 million "day of reflection" The University of Washington stopped classes for a "time of reflection" on the war in Iraq...more Pay employees to work, not to call in sick Professors at the Evergreen State College are allowed 210 paid sick days each year. That's right, two-hundred and ten...more Send school officials back to class Clover Park Technical College faced a $1 million hole after school officials abused state funds, avoided paying bills, and lied to state officials...more Let the punishment fit the crime A convicted UW surgeon gets a multi-million dollar severance package after robbing federal health programs and forcing other doctors and staff to help him cover up the money trail...more

The rest of the story . . .

UW’s $1.3 million "day of reflection" posted on 4/22/03 - WW35 The University of Washington stopped classes and held a "time of reflection" on the war in Iraq. Professors and students were asked to pause in their regular learning activities and "join in hoping that the war will be brief and that the death and suffering it inflicts can be held to a minimum." Scheduled activities included classroom coping sessions, vigils, and a long list of seminars, symposiums and speeches on topics like: What role should unions play in the broader issues of war and peace? -- A discussion for union members on how and whether unions should take a stand on issues of war and peace. Some feminist approaches to peacemaking -- A panel and discussion bringing together feminist peace activists to discuss the vital roles of women in anti-war activism. Children’s art in wartime -- Presentation of a book titled "Children's Art in Wartime from the Spanish Civil War to Kosovo." Women, war, and militarism -- A panel and discussion on the ways in which war and militarism affect women's lives. Imperialism and racism -- A panel on three interrelated issues: an overview of U.S.imperialism and the centrality of racism therein; the racialization of Iraq/Iraqis in the American consciousness; and the development of antiracist arguments against U.S. intervention of Iraq. Draw out your experience -- An informal workshop that allows participants to draw, pant and create images that express their feelings, questions and insights about the war. The cost of operations for one day at the university is about $1.3 million, much of which is funded by taxpayers. Your tax dollars are at work . . . but are they working for you? Want to voice your opinion on this issue? You can reach UW’s interim president Lee Huntsman at (206) 543-5010. top   It pays to be sick posted on 12/26/02 - WW14 Two-hundred ten paid sick days each year? We found this hard to believe. But it's right here in black and white: The Evergreen State College Faculty Handbook states: "Faculty employees shall be credited with 210 calendar days sick leave per contract year." Two-hundred ten? How does that work when there are only about 180 school days in a calendar year?! But just in case you didn't catch it the first time around, the handbook goes on to say: "Sick leave shall be limited to 210 calendar days for any one illness." Good thing they put a cap on it. At least the school is showing some restraint. In addition to the 210 paid sick days, faculty are entitled to a total of twelve work-weeks of leave each year for disability, parental, or family medical leave. And these are good reasons for staying home. But that's another 60 days of paid leave. So it looks like you could be employed by the Evergreen State College, never work a single day, and still get paid full-time! The college calls the plan "very generous." We call that the understatement of the year. Click here to view the sick leave policy in the Evergreen State College Faculty Handbook. You can also click here for the Human Resources department, or call 360-867-6000. top   School officials fail ethics exam posted on 12/18/02 - WW04 Before Olchefske, there was Clover Park. A July 2000 state auditor's report showed that the technical college was $1 million in the red. Accounting personnel intentionally failed to pay $645,000 in bills and then didn't record the liability. They used restricted state funds to balance other accounts. College officials kept almost $300,000 in excess state money – and then tried to repay the money before getting caught by under-reporting expenses that were reimbursed by the state treasurer. They received duplicate payments of $450,000 to buy computers, and then claimed ignorance. Like nearly half a million just snuck up on them unaware? Most bosses couldn't get an extra twenty bucks into someone's paycheck without getting their attention, and they'd certainly notice if they got paid twice. Worst of all, the college is supposed to dedicate some of its tuition to financial aid, but this money was spent elsewhere. The auditor's report didn't say if any students missed out on financial aid. But it did show us that Clover Park needs to add another class to the course catalog: Ethics 101 for School Officials. Call Clover Park Technical College at 253-589-5678 or click here to visit the university website for further contact information. top   Multi-million dollar severance package for convicted UW surgeon posted on 12/18/02 - WW02 Dr. Richard Winn, one of the most prominent brain surgeons in the country, will receive at least $970,000 to cut all ties with the University of Washington (UW). He was trying to cover up several hundred thousand dollars that were falsely billed by UW doctors to federal health plans like Medicare and Medicaid. Winn instructed other doctors and staff to lie when questioned by federal investigators. He even admitted to creating an "atmosphere of fear and intimidation" within his department. But instead of facing jail time, Winn will be allowed to keep instructing doctors while doing 1,000 hours of community service in exotic Nepal. He also will pay a $4,000 fine and repay $500,000 to government programs serving the poor and elderly. But the UW might hold the cure to Winn's financial wound. They agreed to pay him $3.7 million just in case he has a tough time finding a new job. Sounds like he should be doing tough time instead. The real crime is that The UW Board of Regents urged U.S. District Judge Robert Lansik to approve the plea bargain. And then Lansik urged the state licensing board not to restrict or revoke Winn's license. The government is afraid that Winn's research might go undone if he's behind bars. They say he's too valuable to be locked away. They sound like a coach who's afraid to bench a star player because the team might suffer without him. But these are men and women who are paid to make tough decisions, even when those choices hurt. They're paid to hold people accountable. Instead, they allow physicians like Winn to hide behind the shield of their preeminence. Winn gets off easy because he's gifted. But real accountability demands equal treatment under the law. 3/27/03: What's in the water at the UW? Another prominent UW doctor has pleaded guilty to felony billing fraud, but unlike Dr. Winn, he is fighting to keep his job. This comes a week after the Seattle Times reported that federal prosecutors are accusing the UW of destroying "damning documents." Exactly what type of medicine are the good doctors practicing at the UW? You can email the UW Board of Regents at regents@u.washington.edu or call their office at 206-543-1633. You can also click here to visit the Board of Regent's website and find additional contact information for individual members. You can also email Governor Locke at Governor.Locke@Governor.wa.gov, call his office at 360-902-4111, or click here to visit the governor's website. He appoints the UW Board of Regents. top

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