Controversy at Korea Traditional Culture University: Faculty Mismanagement Sparks Concerns

Korea Traditional Culture University Faces Controversy Over Poor Faculty Management

Concerns have been raised about the management practices at Korea Traditional Culture University, as recent reports highlight criticisms of faculty personnel management under the jurisdiction of the Cultural Heritage Administration. The concerns were detailed in a report submitted to the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee, which shed light on significant issues related to faculty duty compliance and accommodation management.

Severe Compliance Issues Revealed in Audit Results

An audit conducted by the Cultural Heritage Administration from April 1st to April 26th uncovered troubling inconsistencies in faculty residential and educational responsibilities. The audit identified 25 corrective measures that the university needs to implement and pointed out systematic deficiencies in management and supervision.

Excessive Duration of Residence in University Housing

One of the most pressing issues is the prolonged residence of professors in university housing, which is regulated by housing management policies. According to these regulations, professors are allowed to reside in university housing for a maximum of 7 years. However, the audit revealed that many professors have significantly exceeded this limit.

For instance, Professor A has resided in university housing for an astonishing 22 years and 11 months as of the audit date. Similarly, Professor B lived in external housing for 18 years, while Professor C relocated from university housing to external housing after 7 years and 1 month, residing there for an additional 7 years and 7 months.

Unauthorized Extension of Residence Period

Further investigation revealed that some residents of university housing extended their stay without proper approval. University housing management regulations stipulate that any extension of the residence period must undergo review by the Dormitory Operations Committee. However, many residents failed to adhere to this procedure and continued to reside in university housing without the necessary approval.

Eviction Orders and University’s Response

Based on the audit findings, the Cultural Heritage Administration issued eviction orders for professors whose residence period had expired. However, as of the 18th, the university has not notified the affected professors about the impending eviction, raising concerns about the university’s compliance and sense of responsibility.

Faculty Responsibilities and External Lectures

The audit also emphasized serious concerns regarding the educational responsibilities of full-time professors. Each professor is required to teach a minimum of 9 hours per week. However, numerous cases were found where professors failed to comply with this requirement due to various reasons, ranging from personal circumstances to insufficient student enrollment.

Additionally, some professors neglected to report their external lectures, further complicating the management of their duties. Several professors conducted external lectures without obtaining the necessary prior approval, highlighting the insufficient oversight and regulation of their activities.

Notably, one professor conducted 119 external lectures over a span of 2 years, receiving approximately 34 million won in lecture fees. Such cases underscore the lack of supervision and regulation in professorial activities.

Unauthorized Concurrent Positions

Another significant issue revealed through the audit is the prevalence of unauthorized concurrent positions among faculty members. Many full-time professors held multiple positions without obtaining the necessary approval, resulting in a situation where a considerable number of faculty members are concurrently engaged in various roles.

Out of the total of 36 full-time professors, 26 were found to hold concurrent positions without proper authorization. Surprisingly, one staff member held up to 12 concurrent positions in various academic and government institutions, further raising concerns about the university’s governance practices.

Issues with Overseas Business Trips and Personal Travel Management

The audit also exposed issues related to the management of official overseas business trips and personal travel by university staff. Some staff members failed to submit the required documents after their trips, resulting in discrepancies between reported travel schedules and actual travel dates.

Immediate Actions and Reforms Urged

Regarding the audit results, Representative Lee Ki-heon criticized the chaotic management practices at Korea Traditional Culture University, emphasizing the university’s failure to fulfill its responsibilities as a public institution. He stressed the urgent need for immediate measures to ensure fairness, transparency, and responsible management practices in all aspects of university operations, from housing management to faculty recruitment.

Representative Lee highlighted the necessity of comprehensive reform plans to restore public trust and ensure compliance with regulations.

Conclusion

The recent audit results of Korea Traditional Culture University highlight the importance of responsibility and governance in educational institutions. As the investigation into the university’s management practices continues, the need for immediate corrective measures becomes increasingly evident. Stakeholders call for ethical reporting, transparency, and compliance with regulations to foster a culture of integrity and responsibility within the academic community.

Source: Newsis