In the wake of a troubling audit, a legislative panel's decision to delay some construction projects at Morgan State University sends a proper warning for the school to get its house in order. A House of Delegates subcommittee voted unanimously to eliminate or restrict $6 million for various capital projects - actions that must still be approved by the full House and the Senate.
Morgan officials complain that as a historically black institution, the university is being singled out for harsher treatment than other institutions that receive state dollars. But until the school has an experienced director with a fully staffed office to manage construction projects, more oversight by lawmakers is justified.
The audit found serious faults with Morgan's handling of capital improvement projects from 2003 to 2007. Most disturbing was an alleged $3 million padding of a construction contract with the Whiting Turner Construction Co., most of which was used to pay the company for different work that had not been approved by the Board of Public Works. Auditors also cited inadequate invoices to cover payments of more than $2 million and change orders that were perhaps divided to get around board approval.
Morgan, which is outside the University System of Maryland, gained control of its construction contracts only two years ago. Officials concede that mistakes were made, but they also insist that the work done was urgently needed and that their record is no worse than other schools or state agencies that have been cited for contract lapses.
Yet the questionable practices at Morgan have prompted an investigation by the state attorney general's office. Even if there was no criminal wrongdoing, the audit points to some systemic deficiencies that need to be addressed aggressively. The university must show the legislature that it can effectively manage all aspects of capital projects. Until then, state lawmakers would be prudent to keep a tighter hold on the purse strings.