Austin Community College (ACC) is knee-deep in controversy after it was uncovered that they had shelled out over $1.7 million on a Virginia-based data center that has never been used, reported by the Austin American-Statesman. The college's police department conducted an investigation starting from March 2020 through December 2022 into what were called "improper business practices" within its IT department under its former chief information officer. No evidence of criminal conduct was found, though the CIO was discovered to have "falsified his employment application at ACC" and subsequently resigned.
During the span from September 2020 to August 2023, the college had entered into a 36-month agreement for the data center, at a monthly cost of nearly $48,000. This move was meant to expand and secure ACC's data across multiple locations but plans were shelved when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, creating shifts in priority and staff shortages. ACC told KXAN the usage of the Virginia-based site was postponed due to "conflicting IT priorities," staffing constraints, and the ongoing investigation into the ex-CIO's actions.
Questions about handling the Virginia data center were first raised following an internal ACC investigation, subsequently leading to an "internal audit of processes" that is set to be publicly shared with the college community. New chancellor Russell Lowery-Hart aims to candidly evaluate the college's business practices, ensuring oversight and improvements in operations. "I’m worried about the perception the alleged actions of one individual can imprint upon the institution," he wrote in a message, as obtained by the Austin American Statesman.
Amid these challenges, the college has not neglected to keep officials and law enforcement in the loop. Having notified the FBI, Texas Rangers, and Travis County DA, ACC however, states that they’re not aware of any ongoing investigations from these agencies. The decision to choose a data center in Virginia was due to "its reliable power supply, robust network infrastructure, and favorable business environment," ACC detailed in a statement to the Austin American Statesman.
ACC's board had been aware of and approved the contracts for the involved data centers. The college has emphasized that no additional or unexpected costs arose from the defunct Virginia center, as its contracted equipment is now being used at other ACC sites. Furthermore, McConnell Jones, a Houston-based firm, is carrying out an audit focused on ACC's business practices and the conduct of the former CIO, according to announcements by Lowery-Hart. Recommendations from this audit are expected in the upcoming months.
