At USF, it's hard to tell who's double-dipping

TALLAHASSEE — Of Florida's 11 public universities, only one tried to withhold records about how many of its employees were double-dipping.

The St. Petersburg Times asked each of the 11 plus St. Petersburg College for a list of its employees receiving pensions and salary. Only USF said it was unable to identify which of its employees had retired and returned to work.

USF officials said they had no such list and, even if they did, they would not release it. More than three weeks later, after serious prodding from Gov. Charlie Crist's Office of Open Government, USF said it would supply a list.

The other colleges supplied public records at no charge. USF charged $194.58. One school produced its list in a day, most others in a few days.

The other colleges provided people who could speak to their school's policies on rehiring retirees. USF offered vice president Carl Carlucci, who said that there were no institutional policies on who can be rehired at USF and that each decision is made by the college where the faculty member is employed.

A day later, USF vice president for communications Michael Hoad, who had been on the phone when the Times interviewed Carlucci, sent a "clarification'' e-mail. "What Carl was saying is he believes anyone who enters DROP should NOT be allowed to re-enter a salaried line,'' Hoad wrote.

Carlucci really meant to say there should be a national search for new tenured positions, Hoad said, and faculty members who return to teach should be part-time employees.

In the call with Carlucci, the Times asked him about the decision to retain Dr. Dominic J. Puglisi, director of the Stavros Center. He retired last December making $116,715 and returned in February making $139,082, plus a monthly pension of $3,998, on top of a lump sum payout of $260,872.

Carlucci said he doesn't know Puglisi or any of the other USF faculty members who have returned to work. "It's not a centralized decision,'' he said.

Puglisi's personnel file includes a personnel agreement allowing him to remain as director of the Stavros Center after he retired Dec. 31, 2007. It was signed by USF president Judy Genshaft.

Comments on this article

by Ava	Apr 8, 2008 8:46 AM
The reporter puts such a slant on this story. Maybe Dr. Puglisi was asked to return to USF b/c of his hard work and dedication. For those who think his actions are driven by greed, you need to think about what you would do to support your family.

by Christina	Apr 8, 2008 8:46 AM
You know nothing about the background of Dr. Puglisi. You hear just what a reporter wants you to hear so that she can earn her paycheck. To the person making $8 an hr, maybe it's b/c you just aren't that good. Your comments are fueled by j

by Scott	Apr 8, 2008 8:20 AM
I am a student at USF. There is no accountabilty within the USF administration. I am not surprised that there is this level of corruption at USF. Thank you Lucy for exposing USF's greed.

by chris	Apr 7, 2008 8:42 AM
how greedy can you get.

by Kay	Apr 7, 2008 8:42 AM
USF is a demoralizing and discouraging place to work for young faculty. It is mismanaged and has an institutional culture that favors older, politically connected faculty to younger faculty who might actually produce work.

by Phil	Apr 7, 2008 8:42 AM
It is USF, with that type of leadership, is anyone really surprised. There is a reason no one in the academic world takes USF seriously.

by Tina	Apr 7, 2008 8:42 AM
Thanks, Dr. Puglisi. I'll think of you today as I work on my lectures on Medieval Society and World War I -- for $8 an hour. With no health insurance. Enjoy the greed -- you have destroyed your own profession. Is there e

by Dave	Apr 7, 2008 8:42 AM
Ms. Morgan, I'm betting you were rejected from USF based on the tone you chose to write this article in. Try objectivity some time, it works wonders for the New York Times.

by Chip	Apr 7, 2008 8:42 AM
Keep digging Lucy Morgan, you are doing great. Find out how Pulisi can negotiate a sweet deal where he gets almost a 20% raise AFTER he retires. Sounds like Judy Genshaft has some explaining to do. Maybe she can hire some of the rest of us. Bogu

by MParis21@gmail.com	Apr 7, 2008 8:42 AM
Stay on this Lucy, you have a lot of deadwood trembling here and especially in Tallahassee.

by Lyn	Apr 7, 2008 8:42 AM
This is exactly why I'm looking for a new job. My boss "retired" in 2003 and has been at work every day since with no signs of slowing down. She's not the only one in the department either. Consequently, there's no chance

by Al	Apr 7, 2008 8:42 AM
I guess greed increases with age!!! Most of the schools in Florida are a waste of money and time. Talk to a student and see where your money is going?? The sad part is the students think the degree will be of value??? This is a joke..

by Stateworker	Apr 7, 2008 8:41 AM
Why shouldn't you be charged for the records - it is part of the public records law and only reasonable - is this relevant to your reporting? How cheap easy and fast you got your information? You got it didn't you?

by Diane	Apr 7, 2008 8:41 AM
When someone retires after 30, 40 yrs on the job pay their benefits. if they return to the same job they're not retired. If a different job pay the entry level just like anyone else.

by Bob	Apr 7, 2008 8:41 AM
Mrs. Morgan, please keep investigating what Genshaft and Carlucci are allowing to happen at USF. It's a corrupt dictatorship.

by Bendover	Apr 7, 2008 8:41 AM
What good is a legislature that can't solve our economic problems and won't solve a problem it created? I don't blame the state employees for their greed, I do blame the legislature for their stupidity.

by Citizen	Apr 7, 2008 8:41 AM
USF charged $194 for the list? Well, you really got to them, didn't you? Thank you for some great reporting!!!

by Martin	Apr 7, 2008 8:41 AM
Hat's off to St. Pete Times for exposing the WASTE in this system! How DARE they cry about funding shortgages, when they waste money like this? If you check with the local School Boards, I'm sure you'll find a lot more of this. Great

by c	Apr 7, 2008 8:41 AM
USF is thoroughly corrupt. They want everyone to believe that they don't know anything, but I'd put my money their emails prove otherwise. Oh, and anytime they want to release the internal audit about Meningall's intimidation the commu

by Tom R	Apr 7, 2008 8:41 AM
Civil servants bilking the public. How many people do you know in Florida make $140k plus a $48k yearly pension? Always, Always, Always vote to cut taxes. Eventually the greedy state employees will have no funds in which to double dip.