Audit: improper purchases at N.C. A&T

janestancill — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:53:20 -0400

A state audit has questioned N.C. A&T State University's use of state procurement cards to buy suits for student leaders to wear at homecoming festivities.

The audit, released today by State Auditor Les Merritt, questioned the purchase of $1,672 for the suits, along with two cases of gift and gift card purchases without proper documentation and credit card finance charges of $755. It also found that N.C. A&T violated policy when it made purchases to support travel to the Jena Six Rally last year in Louisiana.

University officials defended some of the purchases, saying the $206 spent for student bus travel to the rally was for an emergency first aid kit. They also said the student government association had the right to charge clothing for special occasions and pageants within its student fee budget, which is reviewed by the student senate.

In a news release, Merritt said: "NC A&T has a good system of internal controls in place. However, there is clearly room for improvement in controlling [procurement card] purchases to prevent opportunities of future abuse."

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Audit: improper purchases at N.C. A&T