Many pixels burned bright over the selection of former legislators Steve Sviggum and Laura Brod to become members of the University's Board of Regents.
Now the Star Tribune reports in New regent's U job raises concern that a new half-time job paying $80,000 that the Kenyon Republican has secured at the U's Humphrey Institute may pose a conflict-of-interest. A three-regent committee has been appointed to review the issues and map out suggestions for addressing the concerns.
The University's website notes that Regents serve for six years without pay.
According to the article, when the Regent Candidate Advisory Council vetted and recommended Sviggum in mid-January, he was an adjunct at the institute:
In his application for the Board of Regents, Sviggum answered the question about conflict of interest by saying that "full disclosure and transparency is important."
"To that point," he continued, "I am an adjunct professor at the Humphrey Institute."
The Regent Candidate Advisory Council, the citizen group that recruits and screens candidates, had formal and informal conversations with Sviggum about his teaching, and "the council was apparently satisfied that he understood conflict of interest and would act responsibly if that occurred," said Jane Belau, chair of the council.
"The big change in Sviggum's employment relationship with the university came after our committee's selection," she said.
The Strib reports that Sviggum signed the contract for the new position on February 4, prior to a vote by the legislature appointing new regents on February 21. The paper lays out the details onthe new job:
The chairman of the University of Minnesota Board of Regents opened an investigation Friday into whether it is a conflict of interest for Sviggum to be both a member of the Board of Regents and a fellow at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
"I think there is a substantial issue," Chairman Clyde Allen said. "I do not intend whatsoever to say there is a conflict, but there is a question." . . . .
. . .Allen formed a three-person committee to look into the question. The move, outlined in the board's policies, follows several meetings involving Sviggum, Allen and the U's general counsel.
The question arises in part because Sviggum, who has taught courses at the U for several years, recently took a bigger job there -- in the midst of interviewing for the unpaid seat on the Board of Regents.
Sviggum signed a contract to be a legislative fellow with the Humphrey School of Public Affairs on Feb. 4, a few weeks before the Legislature voted him onto the U board. The half-time position, for which he's being paid $80,000 a year, involves teaching, fundraising, hosting public forums and writing opinion essays. . . .[emphasis added]
The MN Daily, the unversity's student paper, describes the concerns about conflict of interest in Regent's dual roles questioned:
According to board policy, a financial conflict of interest occurs whenever a regent has a “financial interest or any other interest in a matter pending before the Board that may impair independence of judgment.” Sviggum’s conflict could extend to finances, as well as faculty and educational planning issues, Allen said.
“We’re dealing with lots of issues there like 'Do we have the money for pay raises?'” Allen said. “'Should we reduce here or expand there?'"
Normally, regents recuse themselves from voting on matters where a conflict occurs. But the depth of Sviggum’s involvement with the school creates the potential for on-going conflicts.
“That question will be with us throughout his service if we don’t resolve it now and get some criteria set clearly,” Allen said.
Previously only a lecturer, Sviggum now holds the title of Legislative Fellow in the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at Humphrey.
Other media venues are covering the concerns. Minnesota Public Radio's On Campus reports in U of M board investigates conflict concerns for new regent:
Allen said that puts Sviggum in an ethical gray area when it comes to serving on the school’s governing body.
“I will simply say there is a substantial issue there right now. I do not want to draw conclusions, that’s without the advice of the panel. But I think there is a substantial issue.”
University officials say they can’t remember a case of an employee ever being appointed to the board. There doesn’t appear to be a rule that prohibits employees of the U from serving in an unpaid position on the board of regents.
But according to the board’s code of ethics, members aren’t allowed to vote on issues where they have a financial interest. In that case regents recuse themselves from a board decision.
“This one is different in that it looks like it could have a large number of ongoing such recusals,” Allen said.
As an employee of the U, Allen maintains Sviggum has a financial interest in much of what the board does, whether that’s deciding budgets or handing out pay raises.
Sviggum both apologized for and defended his actions, implying that his dual salaried role as teacher and fundraiser would pose a conflict withhis duties as a Regent:
At today’s board meeting Sviggum apologized to his new colleagues for putting them in an awkward position. But he told them he didn’t think his work as an instructor and a regent would conflict.
“If there is a sin, the sin is I’m raising money for the University of Minnesota,” Sviggum said. “The sin is I’m teaching students at the University of Minnesota and educating them. They love the class and they love the involvement in the class.”
In U panel to determine whether new Regent Steve Sviggum has conflict of interest, the St. Paul Pioneer Press provides more details on the nw committee:
He also has a 53 percent-time appointment at the U's Humphrey School of Public Affairs as a lecturer with the title of "legislative fellow." He signed the contract Feb. 4, a few weeks before he was elected a regent.
Sviggum is well-qualified for both roles, Allen said.
"The question is, can the two things be done together without there being a conflict?" he said.
Regents recuse themselves on various matters, Allen said, but those are infrequent. The issue is whether "a substantial employee" would face repeated conflicts on a board that often deals with matters affecting employees, he said. "(It's) a new situation we've not had before."
Allen, Vice Chair Linda Cohen and Regent Patricia Simmons will serve on the ad hoc committee, which is expected to report back to the board at its next meeting in May.
Let's hope the panel can work things out. It would be great for the U get at least a half-time Regent out of Sviggum's appointment.
Photo: Former state representative and Pawlenty administration official Steve Sviggum, known as a gifted teacher at the Humphrey Institute.
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