Penn State Planning Independent Audit of Board of Trustees Election

Penn State spokeswoman Lisa Powers said the decision to independently audit the May 3 Board of Trustees Election was part university-driven, part candidate-requested. 

"We had heard people suggesting it, but were already on that path," Powers said. "It's an election year like no other, and it's of the best interest in order to ease everyone's mind."

Powers said the university has been working on pulling together all of the details to set up the independent audit for the past several weeks. A full overview will be available before as it becomes available, and before voting for the board closes, she said. 

The selected auditor will have to produce results quickly, but also be able to look at he details objectively, Powers said. The votes will be tallied when voting ends at 9 a.m. on May 3, and the winners will be announced at the Board of Trustees meeting on May 4, Powers said. 

The pool of candidates this year is an unprecedented 86, with special interest groups backing several and demands for change, increased transparency and even a restructuring of the board. 

Related coverage:

• Penn State Board of Trustees Election: Voting Begins as 86 Candidates Vie for Seats (April 10)
• Penn State Board of Trustees Election: When it Comes to Transparency, the Only Openly Gay Candidate has Been There Before (April 16)
• Penn State Board of Trustees Election: Running for the Second Time, Professor Seeks Change for the Better, Not Revenge (Mar. 29)