Mat-Su College audited

Union: Payroll errors sparked concern

February 14, 2006

JOEL DAVIDSON\Frontiersman reporter

MAT-SU - The University of Alaska recently authorized an audit of Mat-Su College after a faculty union alleged numerous payroll errors left uncorrected for more than a year, and while the audit is not complete, university officials have acknowledged that a handful of faculty members were both over- and underpaid due to payroll errors.

Affected faculty were told to repay their overpayments or lose their jobs, Mike Turner, vice president of the Alaska Com-munity College Federation of Teachers, said Monday.

Mat-Su College Director Paul Dauphinais sent a letter out Friday explaining the issue to college staff.

&#8220Because public funds are at issue, the university had a responsibility to correct those errors and collect any overpayments,” he wrote.

According to Dauphinais, the college first asked affected employees to pay back overpayments in September 2004 and then again in February 2005.

The February 2005 letter stated that individuals were to make acceptable arrangements for repayment within 30 days, and advised them that failure to do so would constitute cause for termination of employment.

On Monday, union officials from ACCFT said Mat-Su College faculty first notified them of the payroll problems a year ago. After investigating the issue, ACCFT suggested that the University Division of Internal Audit authorize an investigation.

Kate Ripley, of the University of Alaska Public Affairs Office, confirmed an audit is occurring but could not say whether it was a result of the union request.

&#8220An audit is occurring at Mat-Su College,” she said, &#8220but it is not complete, so I can't comment on it.”

In his letter, Dauphinais said internal audits are normal occurrences at the university, to ensure procedures are properly followed.

&#8220I welcomed this review and the opportunity to improve our business practices as we deal with the increasing demand for support services,” he stated. &#8220We should all cooperate fully with the auditor and his staff, and we will endeavor to implement any final recommendations that may result.”

As of Monday, all payroll disputes but one have been resolved, according to Suzanne Forster, ACCFT chairwoman of grievances.

Forster said the union suggested an audit of Mat-Su College after attempts to correct the situation with the college failed to resolve the issue.

&#8220The faculty were obviously very concerned when they came to us,” she said. &#8220They first brought it to our attention last spring, and that's when we tried to work with the college.”

Contact Joel Davidson at

352-2266 or joel.davidson@

frontiersman.com.