http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3630014.html Feb. 2, 2006, 10:07AM TSU head returns $138,000 to school President hopes to ease concerns about expenses as regents prepare to discuss her future By MATTHEW TRESAUGUE Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Texas Southern University President Priscilla Slade has reimbursed the university more than $138,000 for the cost of landscaping her new home, according to records released Wednesday. Slade, who wrote the check Monday, is hoping to get back into the good graces of the university's board of regents before they meet Friday to discuss her future. She is also under scrutiny for charging roughly $87,000 to TSU for household furnishings, according to a source familiar with the inquiry. Although some board members have been strongly supportive of Slade, there are still unanswered questions about the source of the money and whether she needed their approval. The regents have asked for an internal audit, and a representative from the Texas Attorney General's Office will meet with them Friday to discuss state laws on bids and contracts, three regents said. "We need all the facts," said David Diaz, a regent and attorney from Corpus Christi. "It is our duty to look after the expenditures of money that comes from the people of Texas." 'Upfront' in dealings Slade has declined to comment publicly. Instead, she has asked Bill Miller, an Austin-based political consultant, to help her address concerns raised by regents. None of the nine current regents, who are appointed by the governor, were on the TSU board when Slade was hired in 1999. Slade has told regents that the university paid the landscaping bill for her 17,675-square-foot property by mistake. Slade explained that she hired a firm that frequently works on campus, and that it inadvertently sent the bill to TSU, which paid it. Once Slade learned of the error, she reimbursed the university, Regent Harry E. Johnson Sr. said. "She has been upfront with us," he said. The board began looking into Slade's expenses after Regent Belinda Griffin visited her house recently, Regent Earnest Gibson III said. When Griffin praised the decor, Slade told her the university bought many of the furnishings, which surprised Griffin. Griffin, of De Soto, did not return a telephone call Wednesday. Slade did not seek approval for the home furnishings from the board, which is generally asked to approve contracts of more than $100,000. TSU purchased furniture for her two immediate predecessors after selling the university-owned president's house in the mid-1990s, but for lesser amounts, said Billy Burnett, coordinator of special services for the past six TSU presidents. "There wouldn't be a problem if she had asked," said Gibson, who supports Slade but still has questions about her spending. "I'm confident the board would have supported her, but I don't know at what amount." Hosting donors University presidents often are expected to entertain at home for donors, and Slade is no exception, Gibson said. She will host at least five receptions for alumni, corporate leaders, faculty members and students over the next three months. "It is Dr. Slade's home," said Gibson, who has not visited the sprawling, Spanish style-house, which is about eight miles from TSU. "But the university has a responsibility in part to provide the furnishings and other amenities so that she can entertain potential donors. Most donors live beautiful lifestyles." Slade moved into the two-story stucco house on Terrace Drive near Memorial Park last month. She has owned the lot since at least 2001, according to the Harris County Appraisal District. Before Slade built the house, the tax rolls in 2005 valued the property at $424,240, up from $233,600 in 2004. In addition to the house, the property includes a pool, oak trees and extensive plantings of shrubs and flowers. Though the University of Houston and Texas A&M University provide school-owned houses for their presidents, TSU is part of a growing number of universities that do not. Mortgage help Slade receives $48,000 annually for housing expenses, which is intended to cover mortgage payments and property taxes. The amount is in the top half of Texas schools. Larry Faulkner received a housing allowance of $52,800 as president of the University of Texas at Austin last year, while Prairie View A&M University gave President George Wright $40,000 for housing expenses. In her seventh year as president at TSU, Slade earns a base salary of roughly $250,000. She also receives $14,400 for a car allowance and up to $50,000 for travel, conferences, meetings and entertainment related to school business. Slade, 54, who earned a doctorate in accounting from UT-Austin, has received high marks during her tenure as president of the university. After her appointment in 1999, she quickly asserted her presence by helping the regents stave off state lawmakers who were considering placing TSU under a university system because of its financial problems. Since then the university has had unprecedented growth, with a record 11,635 students enrolled in fall 2004. Chronicle reporters Matt Stiles and Anne Marie Kilday contributed this report. matthew.tresaugue@chron.com
