University Of Minnesota Investigates AD's Expense Reports
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- We now know more about Norwood Teague's time at the University of Minnesota.
The former athletic director abruptly resigned last week after claims of sexual harassment. Teague said he'll take time to look at his life and alcohol issues.
WCCO talked with a University of St. Thomas professor who specializes in sports, business and ethics, John Wendt.
"Athletics is like your front porch, may not need it but everybody sees it," Wendt said.
He says Norwood Teague's powerful job was to get donations.
"It's hard because athletic directors main function is to raise money and you have to spend money to raise money," Wendt said.
And these expense reports show Norwood Teague was doing just that. More than $700 for a day of golf, dinner at J.D. Hoyt's with three bottles of wine and a hotel room on Wilshire Boulevard. He noted he was entertaining donors and consultants.
Wendt says Teague was meant to be a fundraiser in a flashy intercollegiate world.
"You've got this conflict between this corporate look and the educational mission," Wendt said.
He says it's no surprise he treated donors and staff to golf and alcohol, but it could still be tricky.
Wendt says alcohol is a problem because of the educational institution and because of Teague's past.
"The big issue is did the university know that he had an alcohol problem?" Wendt said.
The U's policy says alcohol is okay in certain situations, but must not jeopardize the school's reputation or the staffer's welfare.
University officials sent WCCO this statement:
"University of Minnesota policy permits the University to pay expenses for alcoholic beverages for University events, including off-campus work retreats, under certain conditions. The funds used to pay the expenses may not derive from tuition or state appropriations, but rather may come only from private funds," the statement reads.
The Administrative Policy: Hospitality and Other Special Expenses, states:
Expenses for the purchase, use or consumption of alcoholic beverages are permitted under the following conditions:
- The activity or event for which the expense is incurred must have a legitimate University business purpose (e.g., faculty recruitment or donor relations activities)
- The alcoholic beverages must be paid for with University non-sponsored private funds only, and they must be allowable on the intended source of funds. See University Fund Types.
- The expenditure and the circumstances for the consumption of alcoholic beverages must not jeopardize the University's reputation, or the health and welfare of those involved.
"It's tough because you have this educational mission but at the same time you have to raise money so there's tension between the two, so where's the line? It's a very grey area," Wendt said about the expense reports.
Professor Wendt says another question raised in the reports was how many "consultants" Teague entertained. Wendt says at that level of leadership, consultants are rarely necessary.
