A finding in a June 30, 2023, University of Arkansas System internal audit revealed the UA at Pine Bluff notified the system of a potential loss of federal funds in connection to unauthorized stipends.
The finding was presented Thursday to the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee’s Standing Committee on Educational Institutions. The finding against UAPB was one of six in the audit the UA System reported to the state Legislative Audit.
UAPB reported it potentially lost funds from the U.S. PREP grant and Educator Preparation Program. According to Texas Tech University, its University-School Partnerships for the Renewal of Educator Preparation (U.S. PREP) National Center in 2021 announced a three-year project with UAPB “to transform and strengthen UAPB’s teacher preparation program.” The partnership, Texas Tech reported, was made possible by a $900,000 grant from the Walton Family Foundation.
According to the UA System’s Internal Audit Department, it was discovered during a review for the period of Jan. 13, 2022, through Feb. 21, 2023, a UAPB administrative assistant had issued her spouse, who was a student and part-time employee of the university, 13 stipends totaling $16,950. A department…
