Given the financially challenging times, it's more painful than usual to see officials spending money freely on travel, entertainment and meals.
That's what's happening at Michigan State University.
WXYZ's Ross Jones, a Spartan alum himself, reports that tuition has risen nearly 20 percent since 2010, but school officials spent hundreds of thousands of school dollars on travel, entertainment and meals in the past year. The money comes from public money from the university's investment accounts.
Jones reports in the past year, MSU trustees spent $68,000 in public funds to attend Spartan athletic events. At the same time, they spent $24,000 on performances at the Wharton Center for the Performing Arts, Jones reports. Jones reports that multi-millionaire developer and trustee Joel Ferguson took in at least 19 shows, including "Wicked," Carrie Underwood and Jerry Seinfeld.
A school spokesman told Jones trustees are encouraged to attend the shows because potential donors are often there.
Jones writes on the WXYZ website:
Perhaps no one had a better time spending the school’s money than trustee Faylene Owen. When the MSU basketball team traveled to Germany last season, Owen made the trip, too. Flying business class, her ticket cost $5,698.
But no one likes to fly alone, so Owen brought her husband Larry along. MSU paid for his trip.
Once they landed in Frankfurt, the Owens found themselves in the lap of luxury, staying at the opulent Steigenburger hotel in a room that cost as much as $1,275 a night. -- A.L.
