UH president spends $130K in 11 months 2011/04/28 at 6:49 am
During her first Christmas season at the University of Hawaii in 2009, President MRC. Greenwood sent out slightly more than 1,000 holiday cards to UH supporters, donors and friends.
The tab: $1,750, including envelopes and postage.
About a month later, despite having a staff of writers and public relations specialists, Greenwood hired a freelancer for $2,000 to help with her first state of the university speech. The writer, who had worked with Greenwood for years at previous jobs in California, lives in Michigan. She did almost all her work via email.
Those were among the dozens of expenses totaling roughly $130,000 that Greenwood covered in her first 11 months using a special fund administered by the UH Foundation, a nonprofit that helps raise private money for the university.
The expenditures for the so-called President Support Fund were detailed in foundation documents obtained by the Star-Advertiser last week through a public records request.
Many of the costs covered goods and services that one would expect from the chief executive of a $1 billion educational institution, particularly one whose duties include spearheading an annual campaign to raise tens of millions of dollars from private donors.
There were dining costs. Entertainment. Gift buying. Travel to education conferences. Support for community events. Hosting education meetings. All have to be linked to furthering UHs mission, according to the foundation guidelines.
But even though the fund does not include taxpayer dollars, the way Greenwood has used it in a time of widespread budget cuts, lagging campus maintenance, dramatic tuition increases and reduced class offerings has raised the ire of students and faculty.
Paying for meals at high-priced restaurants, $500-plus monthly dues at the Waishy;ashy;lae Country Club, $1,700 on Christmas cards and other such expenditures, although permitted, sends the wrong message in a time of austerity, critics say.
UH presidents historically have been honorary members at Waialae, Oahus most exclusive private golf course.