George Washington University is picking up the tab for its president, his wife and five other officials to attend the 2012 Olympic Games.
University spokeswoman Candace Smith said the school was paying for travel, lodging and other expenses because the London voyage was considered a business trip where officials would meet donors and learn about environmentally friendly architecture.
Smith declined to release the cost of the trip to GW, a private university, or where President Steven Knapp, who makes more than $1 million annually, was staying.
Knapp, who arrived in London on Aug. 1, was photographed with alumnus Pops Mensah-Bonsu, a member of Great Britain’s men’s basketball team. Smith said Knapp has attended three Olympic events, but that the tickets were “donated” to him by alumni and trustees. Knapp returned on Tuesday.
“He’s seeing the Crystal, the most sustainable building in the world, with sustainability being a huge initiative for GW, and also touring the Churchill-associated exhibits,” Smith said.
The university’s student-run newspaper, the GW Hatchet, first reported the trip. Tuition and fees at GW run $45,780 per year for incoming freshmen.
Smith called the Olympics “a reason, but it’s not a primary reason” for the London visit. But she said the trip was scheduled during the Games, which raise travel prices, because “We also had connections with the Olympics,” noting a business class that takes students to the Olympics for a behind-the-scenes look.
Knapp ate lunch with the business students, who paid their own way to London.
The university covered the cost of Knapp, his wife, Diane, Vice President and Secretary to the University Aristide Collins, Athletic Director Patrick Nero, two development office representatives, and associate professor of tourism and sport management Lisa Delpy-Neirotti.
The university paid to send Knapp to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, where a student was competing, but not to the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing.
American University spokeswoman Maralee Csellar said the private school in Tenleytown did not pay for any employees to attend the London Games. American’s track coach crossed the pond to watch his son, Matt Centrowitz, win fourth in the men’s 1500-meter race, but paid his own way.
Howard University did not send any employees to the Olympics this summer, spokeswoman Kerry-Ann Hamilton said.
Other D.C. private universities were unavailable to comment by deadline Wednesday.
