WILBERFORCE — Central State University has been placed on fiscal watch by the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE).
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The designation came after university leadership made the ODHE aware of financial challenges at the university.
As reported on News Center 7 at 6:00, the university will now be subject to increased financial reporting, requirements, board of trustee engagement, and evaluation by the Auditor of the State, among other measures to stabilize and improve the financial outlook of the university.
The decision to place Central State on fiscal watch has been certified by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.
“I have met with Chancellor (Mike) Duffey as well as Central State University President Dr. Morakinyo A.O. Kuti and Board of Trustees Chair Jacqueline Gamblin about the situation at CSU, and we are all in agreement there is sufficient cause to warrant the chancellor placing the institution under fiscal watch,” DeWine said.
Kuti said the university values the support they’re getting from DeWine, Duffey, and the ODHE.
“Post-pandemic, institutions of higher education nationally are facing constrained finances. With today’s fiscal watch declaration, Central State University will receive assistance in adapting and positioning itself to become an even stronger and more competitive institution,” Duffey, ODHE Chancellor, said.
Wilberforce resident Dexter Bailey said he used to work for the university and hopes for more transparency from the school.
“When you’re so far in a hole, you got to find a way out of it and if there are places money is spent, maybe not frivolously, but just not being spent where it could be better used,” Bailey said.
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