State Fiscal Committee Wants to See Shumaker in Sept.

State Fiscal Committee Wants to See Shumaker in Sept.

July 17, 2003

By GENE PATTERSON
6 News Anchor/Reporter

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- The State Fiscal Review Committee announced Thursday that it wants UT President John Shumaker to appear in early September.

The announcement comes just one day after Shumaker announced that he's reimbursing UT nearly $25,000 for 25 flights on the school's plane.

The committee heard from Glen McKay, who heads the state division of audits, in Nashville Thursday morning. McKay told committee members that his investigation will prove or disprove the president's justification for his trips.

Also Thursday, state Senator Randy McNally, chairman of the Senate Education Committee, is asking Shumaker to explain a $300,000 no-bid contract between UT and consultant Charles Fishman, a Washington attorney.

Specifically, McNally says he wants to know why Shumaker left the contract out of his budget information, submitted in the spring.

The senator writes, "I would very much appreciate it if you would provide details of the contract, as well as an explanation as to why it was omitted."

During his Wednesday press conference, Shumaker said Fishman received $275,000 in private funds for work to develop an educational presence in China. And Thursday afternoon, a UT spokesman says, "Dr. Shumaker will certainly respond to his request."