Outside firm hired to examine U of M's administrative costs

An outside consulting firm was hired by the University of Minnesota Friday to study the university's administrative costs for a report requested by the state Legislature, The Associated Press reports.

Sibson Consulting will be paid $48,000 by the U of M to examine the administrative layers of the school and the number of employees who report to each supervisor. The firm's report is expected to be given to legislators March 15.

The study was spurred by a Wall Street Journal report in December which used the U of M as a case study in administrative bloat at American universities.

U of M President Eric Kaler defended the university's administrative spending practices in testimony before the Legislature last month and called the Wall Street Journal's report "misleading."

Kaler also penned a commentary piece on the Wall Street Journal's criticism last month in the Star Tribune.

According to the Minnesota Daily, Kaler said Friday that he's "confident that the report (presented to) the Legislature and the governor" next month will be "one filled with progress and efficiency."