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3 golden objects Minnesota Legislature

Office of the Legislative Auditor - Financial Audit Division

Report Summary
Special Review: Certain Expenses for the Former President
of the Arrowhead Community College Region


 

Public Release Date: November 1, 1996 No. 96-44

Background Information

Dr. Greg Braxton-Brown served as the President of the Arrowhead Community College Region (ACCR) from March 16, 1993 to June 29, 1995. He also was the Chancellor of the Minnesota Community College System from November 17, 1994 to June 30, 1995. In addition, he was appointed Distinguished Senior Fellow for Academic Affairs by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System (MnSCU) for the last six months of his employment with the State of Minnesota, from July 1, 1995 to December 31, 1995.

The ACCR was comprised of the following community colleges prior to the MnSCU merger on July 1, 1995: Hibbing, Itasca, Vermilion, Mesabi, Rainy River, Fond du Lac, and Duluth. As President of the ACCR, Dr. Braxton-Brown had direct authority and responsibility over the colleges located in the region. In addition, each college in the region was headed by a chief administrative officer who was responsible for the day-to-day operations at the college. During the time period covered by our review, the ACCR maintained a central office that was responsible for coordinating the administrative oversight for the colleges located in the region.

Scope and Objectives

Our scope was limited to the allegations we received concerning Dr. Braxton-Brown. Our objective was to determine whether Dr. Braxton-Brown had inappropriately benefited from certain financial transactions and whether he made decisions which resulted in conflicts of interest. We received some allegations concerning Dr. Braxton-Brown while he was either President of the ACCR or Chancellor of the Minnesota Community College System which are not addressed in this report. We obtained Dr. Braxton-Brown's responses to those issues and decided not to pursue them further.

Conclusions

During his term as President of the ACCR, Dr. Greg Braxton-Brown received inappropriate personal benefits totaling $2,149. These benefits included additional lodging and recreational expenses for him and his family members at a professional development conference in Colorado, and the purchase of a parka and an exercise bike that were available for his exclusive use during his state employment. These expenses were paid for by the ACCR and the ACCR Foundation.

Dr. Greg Braxton-Brown also made a decision that resulted in conflict of interest. He approved an out-of-state travel request of Ruth A. Braxton-Brown, his wife, while she was a faculty member at Itasca Community College.

 

Office of the Legislative Auditor, Room 140, 658 Cedar St., St. Paul, MN 55155 : legislative.auditor@state.mn.us or 651‑296‑4708