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Southwest Tennessee Community College

For more information, contact:
Daphne Thomas, Executive Director
Communications, Marketing and Community Relations
901-333-4368
djthomas@southwest.tn.edu

Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury released a report earlier today concerning an investigation Southwest Tennessee Community College launched in February 2016 when members of Southwest’s Student Nursing Government Association (SNGA) notified College officials of possible misappropriation of funds by a College employee who served as their club advisor. Southwest officials took swift, corrective action. The College halted SNGA’s financial activities, launched an internal investigation, notified Tennessee Board of Regents officials and cooperated fully with their investigation and imposed strict internal controls to discourage future infractions. The employee in question admitted wrongdoing and resigned from the College before Southwest could take disciplinary action.

Southwest President Dr. Tracy D. Hall says Southwest departments, clubs and organizations are held to the highest ethical standard. “We have zero tolerance for dishonesty of any kind and hold our responsibility as stewards of taxpayer dollars and student funds in the highest regard,” she said. “I am confident the internal controls we implemented over a year ago continue to foster accountability and integrity and we are committed to absolutely following them and punishing any and all infractions.”

The stricter internal controls and protocols prohibit student clubs and organizations from operating external banking accounts and requires associated funds to be handled by Southwest Tennessee Community College finance officials, rather than club advisors and student organization officials. Club advisors also attend mandatory training sessions on financial protocols.

Since February 2016 when Southwest self-reported the infraction and fully implemented these protocols in August 2016, no other infractions have emerged and more robust checks and balances have been realized.