News

Internship Programs: A Benefit to Students, Your Unit AND the University

Julie Hoover-Ernst May 4, 2018

There are many benefits for a department of the University of Kentucky to institute an internship program, from the additional assistance and fresh perspective of the students to the opportunity for your staff to cultivate their leadership and organizational skills. But perhaps more rewarding is seeing the benefits such a program affords the students, such as the ability to put the skills they have been learning in class into action, acquiring valuable experience, and having the opportunity to expand their professional network.

CONTRACTING AUTHORITY: Follow the Rules to Protect Your Unit AND the University

Julie Hoover-Ernst Jan 30, 2018

A recent newspaper article reported that personnel at a SEC University were ratifying contracts without proper authority. This activity includes implementing and executing contractual obligations for the University. Unbeknownst to these departments, overpayments of $171K occurred. Recent UKIA audit evaluations have identified similar weaknesses due to inappropriate contracting authority. In several instances, UKIA noted that the proper University officials were not involved in contracting activities. Such procedural gaps have resulted in the following:

PAPERWORK WITH A PURPOSE: Promoting Responsible Purchasing, Halting Pilfery

Julie Hoover-Ernst Sep 19, 2017

In the movie, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Curse of the Black Pearl, the main character, Jack Sparrow, was asked by a Royal Marine what his purpose was for being in Port Royal, to which Sparrow truthfully responded, “I confess, it is my intention to commandeer one of these ships, pick up a crew in Tortuga, raid, pillage, plunder and otherwise pilfer my weasely black guts out.”

FOCUSING ON THE BIG PICTURE

Julie Hoover-Ernst Jun 26, 2017

The Parable of the Three Stone Cutters shares the perspectives of three laborers on their work.

SEPARATION OF DUTIES: When Wearing Multiple Hats is Not a Good Thing

Julie Hoover-Ernst May 26, 2017

Many of us across the University wear multiple hats on a regular basis to ensure that the work gets done. But a recent article in the Lexington Herald-Leader revealed how that may not always be a good thing. The article was about a former executive with a real estate firm who admitted to stealing more than $1 million from its subsidiaries. How did he do it?

BUSINESS CONTINUITY: How to Keep Your Unit on Track when Circumstances Threaten Derailment

Julie Hoover-Ernst Apr 17, 2017

Earlier this year, I came across a report about a company in Virginia that was forced to completely shut down following a catastrophic fire in its processing facility. The 75-year-old company was one of the biggest employers in its county, but because they failed to put in place a business continuity plan, dozens of people are out of a job. One month later, another report came out about a similar company. Another fire. No continuity plan. And 70 more people are now without a job indefinitely.