State lawmakers may order an audit this week of the relationships between University of Wisconsin System institutions and the private, nonprofit foundations that support them financially.
It’s the latest fallout from accusations in January that former UW-Oshkosh officials illegally used public money to help the university’s foundation finance several development projects, which led to the firing of the foundation’s president and a lawsuit against two since- departed administrators.
The Joint Legislative Audit Committee will hold a public hearing and vote Thursday on whether to order the audit.
A memo the Legislative Audit Bureau sent to lawmakers Monday said such an investigation could look into whether other UW institutions have given public money to their foundations, as well as whether System officials have provided sufficient oversight of those relationships.
UW System President Ray Cross is expected to testify at the hearing, System spokeswoman Stephanie Marquis said.