Spending decisions made by former University of Florida President Ben Sasse have come under scrutiny following revelations that he granted lucrative consulting contracts and high-paying positions to former members of his Senate staff and Republican associates. Despite criticism, Sasse defended these actions, emphasizing their necessity for advancing the university’s initiatives in various fields. The Independent Florida Alligator’s report uncovered that Sasse appointed six former staffers and two Republican officials to positions with salaries surpassing industry standards, with many of them working remotely from locations far from Gainesville.
During his tenure, Sasse’s office reportedly spent $17.3 million in his first year, a significant increase compared to the $5.6 million spent by his predecessor. This heightened expenditure raised concerns among state officials, including Governor Ron DeSantis and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, prompting calls for an investigation by the Board of Governors to ensure responsible use of tuition and tax funds. Despite the controversy, Sasse asserted that all appointments were made through the standard budgeting process and expressed willingness to undergo an audit.
Among the notable appointments were Raymond Sass, Sasse’s former Senate chief of staff, who was hired as the university’s vice president for innovation and partnerships with an annual salary of $396,000. Similarly, James Wegmann, Sasse’s former Senate communications director, assumed the role of UF’s vice president of communications, earning $432,000 per year. Additionally, Sasse recruited individuals with strong ties to the Republican Party, such as former Tennessee Commissioner of Education Penny Schwinn and former scheduler for Senator Lindsay Graham, Alice James Burns.
With most appointees residing outside of Florida, travel expenses for Sasse’s administration saw a considerable spike, totaling $633,000 annually. Notably, Sasse also awarded a substantial contract of $4.7 million to McKinsey & Company, a renowned management consulting firm where he previously worked as an adviser. The nature of McKinsey’s involvement with the university remains undisclosed. The former senator’s approach to staffing and expenditure decisions during his presidency has sparked a debate within Florida’s education and political spheres.
