By Na Jeong-ju
Sookmyung Women’s University is embroiled in an internal dispute over how to deal with outside donations to the school.
The school’s board, headed by Lee Yong-tae, founder of the mid-sized computer manufacturer Trigem Computer, is clashing with the school’s incumbent President Han Young-sil regarding the board’s alleged exploitation of outside donations.
Last week, Han and a group of professors issued a statement to demand the resignation of Lee and other board members.
The school’s alumni association also urged them to quit immediately, saying the school’s financial health has deteriorated due to their neglect of duty.
The board hit back.
“Han’s revolt against the board has something to do with her political ambition,” said an official representing the board. “She raised the issue of outside donations to expel unfriendly board members from the school. Her ultimate goal is to secure a second term as president and keep the school under her control.”
Han’s aides, however, say the board’s expediency and lack of transparency in using outside donations caused a number of problems, ultimately victimizing students.
“The average annual tuition fees have surged over the past years. That’s mainly due to the board’s mishandling of outside donations. We need to conduct an audit in a fair and thorough manner,” an aide said.
According to school officials, Sookmyung received a total of 68.5 billion won (61 million) in outside donations between 1995 and 2009.
The board has managed the funds solely and used them for school operations. Han’s aides charge that the board, unlike the owners of other private universities, has never spent its own money in managing the school in the past years.
“This case shows a serious moral hazard among board members and the owners of Sookmyung. They only opted to raise tuition to cover school expenses, rather than sharing the burden and taking responsibility,” the aide said.
Some officials say the dispute over outside donations represents a power struggle between Han and her predecessor Lee Kyung-sook.
Lee is now the chairwoman of the state-run Korea Student Aid Foundation, but previously served as Sookmyung’s president from 1994 and 2008. Six of the eight members of the school’s board were appointed by Lee.
Lee is known to have close relationships with President Lee Myung-bak. She worked as head of the power transition committee for Lee after he was elected as the President in late 2007.
On the other hand, Han is an aide to ruling Saenuri Party leader Rep. Park Geun-hye, arguably the biggest political rival to President Lee.