An internal review found that during a May 2014 study-abroad-trip to Vietnam, Emery hadn’t followed OU’s policy of using an OU purchasing card or asking for a cash advance from the university for trip expenses.
Ohio University investigated Greg Emery, the former director of the Global Leadership Center whose contract with the university was recently non-renewed, following complaints about his handling of cash payments from students for an overseas trip, OU documents show.
An internal review found that during a May 2014 study-abroad-trip to Vietnam, Emery hadn’t followed OU’s policy of using an OU purchasing card or asking for a cash advance from the university for trip expenses. Instead, Emery was found to collect cash directly from students for out-of-pocket expenses during the trip.
OU Internal Audit reviewed a general fee of $150 from each student that Emery collected in cash directly. While the money appeared to have been used as intended, the document said university policy about cash advances was not “strictly followed” by Emery because he collected the money in cash.
OU also investigated complaints regarding the manner of Emery’s “conduct and supervision” on the Vietnam trip and at retreats at the Burr Oak Lodge in Glouster, Ohio, but the results of the inquiry were determined to be inconclusive due to a lack of continued participation by complainants and witnesses.
Emery will remain on paid administrative leave for the rest of the academic year and his salary will be paid for an additional three months afterwards. His benefits will also stay in effect during this period, according to university documents obtained by The Post via a public records request.
Emery is set to receive a salary of $84,545 this year.
The Vietnam trip was an exchange program between 19 OU students in the Global Leadership Center and students from Nha Trang University in Vietnam.
Robert Stewart, director of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, has served as interim director of the GLC since Emery was placed on leave in October.
Emery was involved in OU’s global outreach and took students to countries in Asia multiple times in the past, according to a previous Post report.
