NIU: Payments to private social club –

Northern Illinois University (NIU) – (ECWd) –

Northern Illinois University has been paying for President Baker’s membership in a private social club, the University Club of Chicago, which is located at the corner of Michigan and Monroe in downtown Chicago.

This “perk” is included in President Baker’s employment contract, but we wonder how the Board can violate its own written policy on membership in private clubs with his contract.

The attached statements and check requisitions indicate that payments were made using University (aka taxpayer) funds for the September 2015 and December 2015 quarterly membership fees.

However, the Board of Trustees have made a show of prohibiting payments for membership in private clubs.  As stated in their publicly posted regulations, under Section V. Financial Affairs, Subsection L. Reimbursable Business Expenses, Item 3. Membership in Private Clubs:
“The university shall not use resources of the Board of Trustees to pay for memberships in private clubs, whether in the name of the university or an individual.”

Shouldn’t the Board and University enforce their own regulations and not grant exceptions for “special” personnel?

Taxpayers should not be required to foot the bill for excessive perks granted to the elite employees.

[gview file=”https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/UC-Invoices-University-Check-Requisitions.pdf”]

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