Tech-school president resigns in wake of state audit

The Utah College of Applied Technology president resigned Wednesday, just weeks after a state audit questioned his involvement in illegal transactions involving state legislators, as well as other questionable accounting practices.

President Robert O. Brems, who has been on paid administrative leave since the release of the audit in August, said in a letter addressed to the state's commissioner of higher education that a resignation would hopefully help to resolve any disruptions caused by the audit.

"Because of my allegiance to UCAT, and to alleviate further disruption, I believe it is the best interest of the college for me to step down at this time," Brems stated.

Brems will remain on administrative leave until Oct. 31.

"President Brems has had many notable accomplishments at the Utah College of Applied Technology and in the Utah System of Higher Education," Commissioner Rich Kendell said Thursday. "We wish him well in pursuing future career opportunities."

Jared A. Haines, formerly UCAT's vice president of instruction and student services, will remain as acting interim president of the multicampus applied technology college network until the state Board of Regents can fill the position. Brems was appointed to the position as the college's second president in May 2006. Before that, he had served nearly 28 years in various roles within technical education.

"We really appreciate President Brems' many contributions to UCAT," Haines said. "The things he's done for technical education in Utah are significant. He's been a very good and capable administrator, and we will miss him."

The audit, which examined several transactions at the Mountainland Applied Technology College in Orem, specifically refers to efforts by the MATC to help the Utah County Republican Party construct a parade float, while exploiting school monies.

Clay Christensen, president of MATC, also was placed on paid administrative leave.

The audit also examined a "questionable transition package" offered to Brems when he left MATC to become UCAT president, as well as use of a $40,000 foundation set up in his name at that same time. That money was then awarded to Brems' family members in the form of scholarships.

A fourth discrepancy found in transactions at the college involved a conflict of interest in purchasing agreements.