University of Missouri defends $2.4M in extra payments for top administrators after critical audit

University of Missouri officials and State Auditor Nicole Galloway offered different interpretations Monday of an audit questioning the legality of $1.2 million in incentive money paid to administrators since July 1, 2014.

"These actions show a complete lack of awareness from a group of administrators who have forgotten who they serve," Galloway said during a news conference about the audit's findings in her Jefferson City office. "System leaders must work to accept responsibilities for their actions and regain the public's confidence instead of listing off excuses."

In response, the university defended the incentive program and criticized Galloway for focusing on an off-payroll program that has paid out $2.4 million over the past three years after spending most of last year on an audit of all system administration activities.

The incentive payments to 18 top UM System and campus administrators ranged from $23,574 to Board of Curators Secretary Cindy Harmon to $120,694 for General Counsel Steve Owens. Among top administrators, only interim President Mike Middleton did not receive any incentive payments.

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