EDITORIAL: Albany State University president acts quickly, decisively

The audit report by the University System of Georgia on reviews of financial for five students at Albany State University who also were working at the university had many troubling aspects to it, not the least of which was the revelation that over a nearly 30-year period one student who worked in the ASU Financial Office had received more than a quarter-million dollars in financial aid.

That figure — $270,000 — is an attention-getter. Unfortunately, it’s not the kind of attention that Albany State, the Albany community or the University System relishes.

Where this story goes from here is anyone’s guess. Albany State has dismissed four employees from its Office of Financial Aid. The University System has recommended that ASU take corrective personnel actions — the terminations, we would think, fall under that — and reorganize positions within the office. USG officials also have recommended that ASU increase its oversight of the Financial Aid Office, evaluate staff performance and ethics training, and refer the University System’s report to proper authorities so that they can determine whether there were any criminal violations.

As more details are learned, the length of time and monetary amount of what Albany State President Art Dunning described as “serious misconduct” should become clearer. Certainly, one may infer from the report that checks and balances in the Financial Aid Office have not worked as they should have in prior years.

The negative effects of this situation may spread beyond our community. Student loans are important resources for many college and university students across the nation, and a scandal based on misuse of student loan money will provide opponents of the program with ammunition. In the long run, it may hurt those who borrow responsibly to improve their prospects in the work force.

But there is a positive aspect of this story — a large one — that should not be lost in the conversation.

The irregularities came to light because officials with the Dunning administration found them, reported them and then took action, all within about a two-month period. The audit shows that newly appointed Financial Aid Office Director Stephanie Lawrence learned of the potential problem in August and contacted the ASU Office of Internal Audits. Dunning stated that ASU engaged the proper authorities, immediately launched a thorough investigation, and took disciplinary measures against involved employees.

“I want to make very clear that this type of misconduct has no place at Albany State University,” Dunning said, adding that he was taking steps to ensure that the ASU Financial Aid Office has the people, technology, policies and protocols in place to serve the university’s students.

The situation is one we wish had not occurred, but we appreciate that Dunning and Lawrence acted quickly and decisively when they discovered it. Doing the right thing can result in short-term pain, but in the long run, it makes for a stronger, more respected organization. We commend President Dunning for the leadership he is demonstrating.

— The Albany Herald Editorial Board