Morgan State University could lose its construction autonomy over misspending more than $3 million, lawmakers said Wednesday.

“Autonomy is granted, and it can be removed,” said state Del. Norman Conway, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

“Why should another bill not be put in to remove the autonomy?” asked Del. Adrienne Jones, a Baltimore County Democrat who introduced the legislation that allowed historically black Morgan to have automomy with construction projects.

Morgan President Earl Richardson apologized to lawmakers.

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“Morgan has made a mistake,” he said. “We put things in place so that it won’t happen again.”

Richardson said the school will create a review board for all construction projects and hire two people to oversee construction.

A recent audit found Morgan officials cushioned a construction contract with Baltimore-based contractor Whiting-Turner with about $3 million the college used for a new phone system and athletic track. The money was part of $7 million in state funding designated for renovation of an academic hall.

Construction contracts were broken up into smaller ones to avoid having to get approval from the Board of Public Works, which signs off on projects worth $500,000 or more, auditors said.

They sent their findings to the criminal division of the Maryland Attorney General’s Office for investigation.

“I want to make sure we get our bang for our buck,” said Del. Galen Glagett, D-Frederick.

kvolkmann@baltimoreexaminer.com