Audit questions how Ga. colleges spend student fees

Georgia's colleges need to better monitor how campuses spend the millions collected through mandatory student fees, according to a state audit.

The report from the state Department of Audits and Accounts said there are few assurances to guarantee the money is spent on programs that benefit all students. Auditors found eight fees at different institutions they say failed to get proper approval from the state Board of Regents, and a couple of instances of questionable spending.

Still, auditors concluded that most of the fees appeared to be appropriate.

The report, released Wednesday, was requested by the Senate Appropriations Committee. As is typical with audits, the overall theme was that colleges need to provide more oversight for how the money is spent.

In response to the audit, the regents said action is being taken against anyone found to have used the fees incorrectly.

The regents, which oversee the state's public colleges, said they will continue to "strengthen and revise" policies over mandatory fees. Starting this month, the regents will take additional steps to make sure colleges do not charge fees that have not been approved by the board. Mandatory fees will be confirmed with each college president in June, and a budget analyst will follow up with colleges in the fall.

Colleges use mandatory student fees for everything from athletics to parking to health services. Fees ranged from $194 to $830 a semester this academic year, depending on the institution. During the 2009 fiscal year, the 35 colleges in the University System of Georgia collected about $239 million in fees.