Statement from President Denise M. Trauth regarding newspaper coverage of state audit

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
July 24, 2013

A July 20 newspaper story in the San Antonio Express-News regarding a state audit of Texas State University mischaracterized how the university fared in the performance of its financial reporting and contract management practices. The newspaper clearly erred in its headline when it stated Texas State had “flunked” the state audit. By all accounts, the university passed the audit.

We feel obliged to set the record straight and have written a letter to the editor [note: the letter ran in July 26 editions of the San Antonio Express-News], in which we take issue with the newspaper’s mischaracterization of the audit. It is signed by myself and Charles Amato, who is on the Texas State University System Board of Regents. Regent Amato also chairs the board’s Finance and Audit Committee.

We wanted to make sure the university community was aware that Texas State has sound business practices in place. In fact, the audit concluded that the university has demonstrated control over its financial and operational processes – a point the article itself pointed out.

As is standard practice, state auditors identified several opportunities for improvements and made recommendations to enhance existing controls, which the university is in the process of implementing. The fact is the state audit was relatively benign, and auditors in the exit conference referred to their report on Texas State’s practices as “positive.”

It was unfortunate that the newspaper published an inaccurate account of our state audit. And we want the university community to know that we have confidence in our business operations, just as the state auditors do.

Sincerely,
Denise M. Trauth,
President, Texas State University

The text of the letter may be read here.