Audit of Fitchburg State University (FSU)
June 28, 2019 · Fitchburg State University · Read the full official report on mass.gov ↗ · official site ↗
Published June 28, 2019 Audit covers July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2018 Under Suzanne M. Bump · 2011–2023
source
“FSU did not have documentation to substantiate that resident assistant staff members received required training on how to respond to emergencies.”
Read the plain-English breakdown
This is a state performance audit of Fitchburg State University covering July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2018.
“In accordance with Section 12 of Chapter 11 of the Massachusetts General Laws, the Office of the State Auditor has conducted a performance audit of certain activities of Fitchburg State University (FSU) for the period July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2018.”
Auditors looked at whether the university was following certain disability-access rules and had proper related procedures.
“In this performance audit, we reviewed and evaluated FSU’s policies and procedures for ensuring its compliance with certain requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.”
If training is not documented, the public cannot be sure resident assistants were ready to help students during emergencies.
“As a result, there is inadequate assurance that these staff members have been properly trained to assist the students living in their residence halls during emergencies.”
For students and families, the audit is about whether students with disabilities can get support and equal access on campus.
“Does FSU provide the necessary accommodations, auxiliary aids, and academic adjustments (including support services) to students with disabilities to ensure equal access to its programs, facilities, and services?”
The auditor recommended that Fitchburg State keep records proving resident assistants completed the required emergency training.
“FSU should document that its resident assistants have received the required emergency response training.”
The university said it had started fixing the documentation issue and expected to put a process in place soon.
“We have begun addressing the noted finding related to the documentation of resident assistant emergency response training and will soon have the necessary process in place.”
This matters because Fitchburg State serves thousands of students, so emergency preparedness and disability access affect a large campus community.
“For the 2018 fiscal year, FSU had a student enrollment of approximately 5,200.”
A “performance audit” means auditors checked how well the university’s processes worked, not just its finances.
“We conducted this performance audit in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards.”
What the Auditor checked
- Complied Does FSU have procedures in place to review, monitor, and improve support for students with disabilities?
- Partially Has FSU developed an emergency evacuation plan that takes into account the needs of students with various disabilities, communicated it to the campus community, and trained residence hall personnel on it?
- Complied Does FSU provide the necessary accommodations, auxiliary aids, and academic adjustments (including support services) to students with disabilities to ensure equal access to its programs, facilities, and services?
What the Auditor found
Why it matters: There was inadequate assurance that resident assistants were properly trained to assist students living in residence halls during emergencies.
Standard: FSU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report requires comprehensive emergency response training for resident assistants, and the Office of the Comptroller’s Internal Control Guide requires documentation to retain and communicate organizational knowledge. ( Section 12 of Chapter 11 of the Massachusetts General Laws; FSU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report; Section 3.03 of the Office of the Comptroller of the Commonwealth’s Internal Control Guide, dated June 2015 )
1 recommendation
- FSU should document that its resident assistants have received the required emergency response training.
Agency response & Auditor reply
Agency: "We have begun addressing the noted finding related to the documentation of resident assistant emergency response training and will soon have the necessary process in place."
More audits of this entity
Other Office of the State Auditor reports on Fitchburg State University .
- Audit of Fitchburg State University (September 15, 2023)College / University · September 15, 2023
- Fitchburg State UniversityCollege / University · November 16, 2015
- Fitchburg State University's Use of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act FundsCollege / University · December 15, 2011