Several alumni gatherings have been too expensive. This is admitted by Margareta Nordstrand, Head of Sector at External Relations division, who says that they are trying to get alumni with large resources to fund the parties instead. Also, more accurate control of the bills will be introduced.
“We will review this even more”, she says.
Margareta Nordstrand says that it is hard to say what a reasonable level of pricing since they book events in countries about which fairly little is known in the organization. However, she emphasizes the importance of being moderate with the expenses.
“At the end of the day, we’re handling tax money and we always have to be very cautious in what we’re doing. In some countries it costs a little less, and in others a little more. So I can’t tell whether an attendance fee should be 100 SEK or 200 SEK. It is very difficult to tell.”
In Taipei, the average cost was 900 SEK per guest. Is that reasonable?
“That sounds a little expensive to me. But I also know that at some of these events you have had lists over people present and not over the people signed up. This is something that hotels respectfully dismiss because if 50 reservations were made, 50 reservations will be paid for.”
You work with tax money and you say cautiousness is important. How do you estimate whether this was a success or too expensive?
“Customer satisfaction, it is really difficult. Am I worth the hours sitting here talking to you? Is it worth it that I sit with a committee of education all morning with 22 other very highly paid people to develop study programs. Honestly, this is a difficult question. I can’t… I’ll pass. That is my answer.”
Unclear Representation Receipts
The University’s rules for external representation say that endorsed food and beverage can run up to 650 SEK per person. The cost of rental of premises and entertainment run up to a maximum of 350 SEK per person. At the event in Taipei, the expenses ran up to 992 SEK per guest, but on the receipt the costs of food and rental of premises were not itemized.
“They usually don’t itemize in Asia and if you would like them to, you have to ask for it in advance”, says Margareta Nordstrand.
Is that something you usually do?
“I’m sure they e-mailed us about it at the beginning of times, but I don’t know off the top of my head. What we’ve learned from your inquiry is that we have to be accurate about having the bills itemized and having all bills in order.”
You haven’t done this previously?
“Yes, we have but I think we will revise it even more. I think we will get old alumni to pay. We have alumni working at very prominent companies and now that we have come in contact with them it’s much easier to ask that question”, says Margareta Nordstrand.
Text: Sebastian Hagberg / Carl-Johan Kullving
Translation: Maximilian Aleman Tennell
