Members of the Washington University Board of Trustees have donated over $1 million to various candidates and political action groups (PACs) since 1997, the earliest date such contributions were recorded by the Federal Election Commissions campaign finance database. The majority of these donations have gone to the Republican party, leading some to question whether the university is indirectly supporting candidates to gain political influence.

The two most significant contributors are trustee Stephen Brauer and emeritus trustee Sam Fox. Fox has donated over $1 million since 1997, and Brauer’s donations have totaled over $300,000. These contributions have gone to Republican candidates at the state and national levels, including Senate candidate Jim Talent, who is opposing Jean Carnahan, and to President Bush.

Brauer has also hosted political fundraisers, one co-hosted with Fox, at Brauer’s Hunter Farms estate in Ladue, where President Bush has been known to stay while in town. Further, Brauer donated funds to both the inaugural festivities in Washington and Bush’s legal challenge to the Florida recount.

When asked to comment on his political contributions, Fox issued a statement that said, “There are a number of reasons why I have contributed to the Republican party, but the most important is fiscal responsibility. Until the Republicans took over the House in 1994 election-the first time in 40 years-the notion of a balanced budget got little more than lip service. I believe President Bush and his Republican supporters are the best guarantors of continued fiscal responsibility in Washington.”

Fox has had little political involvement beyond his fiscal support of Republican causes, but Brauer, who was not available for comment, is now serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Belgium, a position which the President appointed him shortly after being elected. Brauer also has political interests as a part-owner in the St. Louis Cardinal franchise, which is presently seeking both local and state funding for a new stadium.

In addition to Brauer and Fox, Clarence C. Barksdale, the vice president of the board, has given almost $35,000 to Republican candidates and PACs, including Talent. And board members John MacCarthy, Mary Ann Van Lorken, Carl Holman, Andrew Taylor, Richard Mahoney, Benjamin Edwards, Earle Harbison, Stephen Brauer, David Farrell, and Craig Schunck have added an additional $14,259 to Talent’s campaign.

Board members have also made contributions to Democratic candidates, including $7,000 which was given collectively by John Wallace, John Bachmann, William Van Cleve, and Andrew Taylor, who have also given funds to Talent.

These donations have led some to question their influences over the university, including the university’s political positions.

“One can draw their own conclusions as to how they think this reflects the university, but it certainly raises some red flags,” said Mike Kelly, the executive director of the Missouri Democratic party.

Some, including political science professor Gary Miller, picked up on these flags last year when Talent was paid $90,000 to teach two courses, a salary that many found to be exorbitant.

“I would not say that the salary was too large but the level of commitment of Talent to Washington University seemed a bit small [in comparison]. I mean, nobody saw him. I wouldn’t object to that salary if he had been around more,” said Miller.

Chancellor Mark Wrighton, however, dismisses any claim that the university has ever endorsed an individual candidates.

“We do not support any political candidates, but we do sometimes take positions on issues which we feel have importance to the university,” said Wrighton.

Of the board’s donations, he said, “There is no link between political contributions made by trustees [and the university]. Trustees make such contributions as private citizens and these gifts are not related to their responsibilities as trustees.”

WU College Democrats president Aaron Gordon, however, is not convinced that these donations are not a means for gaining political clout on behalf of the university. Gordon does not have a problem with this, though, because he sees it as being in the university’s best interests.

“While it might be a little questionable as to the motives, its beneficial to our facilities and research,” he said.

Gordon concluded, “I don’t think there is any negative that comes out of [the board's donations]. I don’t think that it sheds negative [light] upon the school.”

Kelly Mesa, president of College Republicans, agrees, saying that the donations represent nothing more than the individual board members personal beliefs.

“Their donations to the Republican party are because they believe in the party,” she said.

And, as Professor Miller points out, these donations are legitimate means of political expression.

“[The donations are] personal donations,” said Miller, “and it’s their business, and it’s a matter of free speech and the First Amendment, as long as everyone is making legal campaign contributions.”

Mike Kelly regarded the numbers as somewhat shocking.

“These numbers were alarming, but, at the end of the day, these individuals are allowed to give this money.”

Brendan Watson also contributed to this report.

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