Pickering looking into Tablet purchases at USM
n addition to giving Samsung Galaxy tablets to students and faculty members, University of Southern Mississippi officials also gave one to Higher Education Commissioner Hank Bounds.
He “returned it without using it,” according to state College Board spokeswoman Caron Blanton, who said Bounds felt it would best be used by a student.
Now, the office of State Auditor Stacey Pickering is working jointly with the state College Board, which Bounds oversees, to determine whether Southern Miss violated state law in the purchase and distribution of 700 tablets in July and August as part of a pilot program.
State auditor spokeswoman Lisa Shoemaker said that her office is conducting an initial inquiry to determine whether wrongdoing occurred, before it will decide whether to launch a formal investigation.
Hattiesburg American
11/23/11
Magnolia Tribune
