Florida State University

The following is a short cross-section of our documentation of Florida State University's tribulations with the Charles Koch Foundation. For a complete look, see our book-length report: A Case Study In Academic Crime.

1. Mechanisms of Contractual Control

A. Ideological Conditions for donor withdraw

At universities where the public has been able to see a contract (Memoranda of Understanding, or MOU) signed by a university and the Charles Koch Foundation, a common stipulation common to them all is that any activities comply with the a provision of the contract that CKF calls its “Objectives and Purposes.”

At Florida State University, the “Affiliated Programs and Positions” established by CKF are required to comply with the following:

1. Objectives and Purposes. (a) The purpose of the Affiliated Programs and Positions is to advance the understanding and practice of those free voluntary processes and principles that promote social progress, human well-being, individual freedom, opportunity and prosperity based on the rule of law, constitutional government, private property and the laws, regulations, organizations, institutions and social norms upon which they rely, These goals will be pursued by supplementing the academic talent that is currently at FSU to create a strong program that will focus on building upon and expanding research and teaching efforts related to economic institutions and political economy. (2008 and 2013 FSU MOU)

All aspects of the programs set forward in the MOU are obligated to comply with the Koch Foundation’s “Objectives and Purposes,”  and compliance is actively enforced by CKF, which:

...reserves the right to discontinue or revoke any part of this Memorandum (including withholding any amounts to be made under any Donor Agreement to which CKF is a party regarding the Affiliated Programs and Positions) [...] if in CKF's reasonable discretion, such action is necessary to protect the Objectives and Purposes set forth in Section I(a) above. (2008 and 2013 FSU MOU, Section 12, pg 9)

A supplemental document to FSU’s 2008 MOU, Attachment C, reveals Koch’s ability to withdraw funding for noncompliance at any point with 15 days notice;

Such termination shall be deemed effective upon the expiration of said fifteen (15) days from the date notice was provided by Donor to Donee and University, if Donee and/or University have not therefore corrected the events of default or performed the acts described in the notice.” (FSU 2008 MOU Attachment C, Section V.H)