Granholm seeks EMU House data

News Staff Reporter

Gov. Jennifer Granholm's office cited "significant public concern" over the handling of Eastern Michigan University's new president's house Thursday as it requested more information to review the project.

The request comes more than a month after a state audit sharply criticized the university's handling of the University House project in a report Granholm termed "disturbing." Granholm said after the audit was released that her office would continue to look into the issue.

In a letter dated Thursday, Kelly Keenan, legal counsel to the governor, requested nine items or series of documents from EMU, in addition to the university's formal response to the state audit, which is due Sept. 13.

Among the items it seeks is the exit agreement of former EMU President Samuel Kirkpatrick, who left the university this summer. A faculty group had written to Granholm requesting that she void Kirkpatrick's agreement, which paid him more than $500,000, because he was heavily involved in the University House project.

EMU had said the house cost $3.5 million and that it didn't use any tuition money or state funds to build the 10,200-square-foot facility, which is a home for the university president and a meeting center for friends of the university. But state auditors pegged construction costs and related expenses at $6 million and concluded that operating funds were used to build the house.

EMU has 14 days to send the additional information to the governor.

Press secretary Liz Boyd said the governor's office simply wants more details so it can fully evaluate EMU's response in determining whether any laws were broken and whether the governor should take action.

"This sends a signal to people that have followed this project that the governor's office is interested in knowing more about how it occurred and what the implications are," Boyd said.

Boyd wouldn't speculate on whether the governor might ask members of the EMU Board of Regents to resign or void any of the terms of Kirkpatrick's exit agreement.

"We're on a fact-finding mission here ..." Boyd said. "All this means is that we want additional information."

The letter is addressed to Philip Incarnati, chair of the eight-member EMU board of regents, and interim president Craig Willis, who started Aug. 16.

The letter said the audit "generated significant public concern regarding the faithful execution of the laws of the state by the Eastern Michigan Board of Regents."

The requested items include:

Copies of minutes and transcripts from all board meetings where the University House project was on the agenda or was discussed.

Copies of all documents related to the project, including feasibility studies and design contracts.

Copies of all applications for permits.

A copy of the Board of Regents' own audit of the project.

Copies of Kirkpatrick's employment contract, his termination agreement, and all other documents relating to his relationship with EMU.

EMU spokesman Ward Mullens said the university will fully comply with the request.

© 2004 Ann Arbor News. Used with permission