With finances high on everyone’s mind, State Comptroller Michal Lindenstrauss released a report addressing misappropriation of funds in the nation’s institutions of higher learning, blaming their irresponsible fiscal policies for much of their difficult financial realities today.

According to Lindenstrauss, much of the funding allocated to universities for research has been used for unjustifiably high salaries, benefit packages and other perks for employees.

According to the report, the universities have taken advantage of their “academic freedom” to misappropriate funds, including payments to families of deceased staff members.

Decision to increase salaries of lecturers and professors above the state guidelines must receive treasury approval.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)