By ZACH LAIRD, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD — A bipartisan group of state Senators have called for a fiscal and performance audit of the University System of New Hampshire (USNH), alleging a lack of transparency, accountability, and that it is not investing enough money in instructing students.
In the official letter to Chairman Gerald Griffin dated July 31, 2026, the Joint Legislative Performance Audit and Oversight Committee requested that “the Legislative Budget and Audit Division conduct a performance audit of the University System of New Hampshire.”
It was signed by Senate President Sharon M. Carson, R-Londonderry, Sen. Timothy Lang, R-Sanbornton, Sen. Donovan Fenton, D-Keene, and Sen. Suzanne M. Prentiss, D-West Lebanon. Neither Carson, Fenton, or Prentiss could be reached for comment Wednesday.
A statement from the USNH said in response: “The University System of NH (USNH) operates with transparency regarding its operations and expenditures. The system’s annual financial audits are posted online, meetings of the board of trustees are public, and members of the legislature serve on the board. We look forward to understanding more about the nature of the request and supporting the timely work of the audit committee.”
Sen. Timothy Lang, R-Sanbornton said, “As we saw recently, the University System of New Hampshire has called for the merging of the president’s position at UNH with the chancellor’s position. There were many of us in the legislature that did not feel that was appropriate… We wanted to have a much better understanding of what that looks like, what’s going on, and how that performance is working.”
Lang continued that he’s not sure merging the two positions is good for all Granite Staters, noting concern that the merger could minimize the influence of KSC and PSU.
“I just think this is in the best interest for all the citizens of New Hampshire, to have that performance audit so we understand how the University System works better,” Lang said.
The USNH Board of Trustees voted on June 26 to approve consolidating the two positions — which would mean the presidents of KSC and PSU would report to the new position — though the two institutions would retain their independence. Lawmakers will decide whether to approve it during the next legislative cycle.
In the press release from the New Hampshire Senate, Senate President Sharon M. Carson, R-Londonderry said that this isn’t about politics; it’s getting the facts first.
“Before making sweeping changes, we need a comprehensive review to understand where we are and what the implications could be—not only for faculty and staff, but most importantly, for our students and the communities these learning institutions call home,” Carson said. She could not be reached for further comment.
In the official letter to Chairman Gerald Griffin dated July 31, 2026, the Joint Legislative Performance Audit and Oversight Committee requested that “the Legislative Budget and Audit Division conduct a performance audit of the University System of New Hampshire.”
It was signed by Senate President Carson, Sen. Lang, Sen. Fenton, and Sen. Prentiss.
The letter reads: “To ensure the system operates efficiently and effectively an external financial statement audit is statutorily required on an annual basis. It is important, however, for the Legislature in its policy- making role to be informed of improvements that can be made to the System’s administrative operations.
“The performance audit should include, but not be limited to, a review of the organizational staffing structure of the System and the proposed merger between the Chancellor’s Office and the Office of the President of the University of New Hampshire.”
Chancellor of USNH Catherine Provencher could not be reached for comment.
Data released by the House Republican Majority Office breaks down the expense category for USNH and their percentages of its total operating expenditures. It also noted that “about 25 cents of every operating dollar goes to direct instruction. Central administration, fundraising, academic support, and student services together total roughly $196 million, nearly as much as instruction itself ($230 million).”
- Instruction: $229.9 million; 24.9%
- Auxiliary services (housing, dining, athletics) $169.5 million; 18.3%
- Research and sponsored programs: $166.3 million, 18.0%
- Academic support (deans’ offices, libraries, academic IT): $73.3; 7.9%
- Student services: $59.8 million; 6.5%
- Institutional support (central administration): $46.9 million; 5.1%
- Operations and maintenance: $42.4 million; 4.6%
- Public service: $27.6 million; 3.0%
- Fundraising and communications: $15.8 million; 1.7%
- Depreciation, other funds, and affiliated entities: $93.3 million; 10.1%
It also clarified that UNH is the bulk of the system: $717M of the $925M in operating expenses (77%).
The data also noted that instruction costs are $229.9M, which is about 25% of the $924.7M in total operating expenses. It explained that state general appropriations fall from $95M (FY25) to $87M (FY26) and $77M (FY27), and that “USNH says it will restructure academic and administrative activities to align costs with lower revenue.”
It also highlighted how self-insured medical and dental claims and fees jumped from $77M to $94.2M in one year, adding it was a main factor in rising compensation costs.
In a press release from the House Republican Majority Office, Deputy House Majority Leader Joe Sweeney, R-Salem said:
“We entrust our University System with tens of millions of taxpayer dollars, it is only right that we expect efficient and wise investments in return. Accountability does not happen behind closed doors. It is time to open up the books, shine a bright light on every single corner of our university system, and show where every dollar is going. The people demand this transparency.
“Every dollar not spent on classroom instruction is a dollar not invested in the future of the Granite State, and those dollars need to be scrutinized and analyzed now more than ever. I look forward to this audit taking place timely so when the next State Budget is crafted next year, we will have the insight we need to shape the future that Granite Staters deserve.”
Sweeney could not be reached for further comment.