Report 2021-611 Recommendation 13 Responses
Report 2021-611: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund: Some University Campuses Did Not Maximize Available Federal Pandemic Funds, and They Prioritized Students Differently When Awarding Relief Funds (Release Date: November 2021)
Recommendation #13 To: Long Beach, California State University
To maximize the available HEERF funds, CSU Long Beach should review expenses it incurred in response to the pandemic since January 2020 and submit all eligible expenses to FEMA for reimbursement. The campus should reallocate any HEERF funds initially spent for these expenses to other purposes, such as replacing lost revenue or providing additional student aid.
CSU Long Beach continues to monitor all COVID-related expenses and assess whether eligible expenses should be submitted for reimbursement under FEMA or HEERF. The campus will continue to consult with the Chancellor's Office and subject matter experts as needed and weigh decisions based on the information available and the costs/benefits of each option, including the need for prompt and reliable financial relief.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Will Not Implement
We stand by our recommendation that the campus should review its pandemic related expenses and submit all eligible expenses to FEMA for reimbursement. FEMA expanded its criteria for reimbursable expenses and the campus should take advantage of this opportunity to maximize the federal funds it receives for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. This would allow the campus to reallocate HEERF funds to other purposes, such as replacing lost revenue or providing additional student aid.
CSU Long Beach continues to monitor all COVID-related expenses and assess whether eligible expenses should be submitted for reimbursement under FEMA or HEERF. The campus will continue to consult with the Chancellor's Office and subject matter experts as needed and weigh decisions based on the information available and the costs/benefits of each option, including the need for prompt and reliable financial relief.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Will Not Implement
We stand by our recommendation that the campus should review its pandemic related expenses and submit all eligible expenses to FEMA for reimbursement. FEMA expanded its criteria for reimbursable expenses and the campus should take advantage of this opportunity to maximize the federal funds it receives for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. This would allow the campus to reallocate HEERF funds to other purposes, such as replacing lost revenue or providing additional student aid.
All Recommendations in 2021-611
Agency responses received are posted verbatim.