Mesa Community College in Arizona spent $37,000 to send seven college officials and five spouse (self-paid) to attend a nine-day China-U.S. Conference on Community Colleges in Beijing.
The $3600 per person registration fee included airfare, lodging and all meals in Beijing.
Does it cost $3600 to fly to Beijing, spend nine days and eat there?
The same group stopped off in Hong Kong where they charged the college $1,300 for four group dinners.
Does it cost $1,300 for a group of nine to eat four times in Hong Kong?
I don't think so.
The travelers say the payoff could be tremendous. Not only did they get 'an unprecedented knowledge of the country, college, culture and projects" and run up a huge bill, they could end up with a contract with Radio and Television University in Beijing. That was two years ago.
I do think it is worthwhile to visit schools in foreign countries - Mesa Community College has a relationship with a school in Hong Kong.
But, when you are traveling on the taxpayer's dime, prudence, even thriftiness are called for. Extravagance is out.
What do you think?
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Yeah, that's ridiculous. Sadly, I think overly common when it comes to any expense account. The big question is why did they need nine people to attend? Is it not something a half that or quarter that number of people could have attended and reported back about?
Posted by: The Humanaught | October 18, 2006 9:11 PM | Permalink to Comment