Who’s Who At MU: The treasurer

Miami University spends $2 billion dollars every year. This is enough money to write every single one of Miami’s undergraduate students a $120,000 check, or relocate and rebuild Millett Hall 10 times.

So, who’s responsible for managing this enormous amount of money? The answer lies in one of the largest – yet easily forgotten – parts of the university’s administration: the treasurer.

David Creamer is the treasurer of Miami, but that’s not his only job. His official title is senior vice president for finance and business services and treasurer. That’s a mouthful, but it really means that Creamer’s responsibilities stretch far beyond money, including things such as grounds management, the Miami University Police Department (MUPD) and dining services.

“Except for the provost, the breadth of my area and responsibilities are much larger than others,” Creamer said.

The treasurer oversees large parts of the university’s administration and has jurisdiction over just about everything to do with finances. Like the provost, the wide variety of responsibilities means that no two days in the treasury department are ever the same. Despite his varied roles, Creamer said most of his daily work revolves around the campus budget, as the treasurer is tasked not just with spending the university’s budget, but putting it in short and long-term investments as well.

“Investments are also a huge part of what we do, since we do have such a large amount being invested, and the markets are rather volatile, but that funding is critical to the mission we want to accomplish,” Creamer said.

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This long-term investment is at the core of the treasurer’s most important task: predicting —or at least preparing for — the future. Behind all the recent developments, like the multi-million dollar proposal to build a new sports arena or the McVey Data Center, is a coordinated effort to make sure the university is ready for the future.

For Creamer, this requires thinking far beyond the current situation.

“We need to meet current needs, but we also need to be thinking about what students are going to need in the future … not just while they’re here, but throughout their lifetime,” he said.

Just like any task in administration, the treasurer's work is deeply collaborative. Creamer meets with members of the administration on a regular basis, including the provost, budget staff and dining staff.

How does this affect students?

The treasurer has direct oversight over all of the dining halls and restaurants on campus, and ensures the menus are of quality and every level of the operation is held accountable, so when the chicken tenders are out at Maplestreet Dining Commons, students should know who to call.

He played a large role in preparing for the new Chick-fil-A opening in the Armstrong Student Center, and said he is excited for the new cuisine and shorter lines at surrounding restaurants, as well.

Perhaps more important than the accessibility of fried chicken, the treasurer plays a key role in increasing Miami’s affordability. Creamer said investments directly impact Miami’s tuition costs, with profits being used to increase funding for scholarships.

“When things are going well, and we have investment success, that tends to make your education a bit more affordable for you and your family,” he said.

Besides fiscal returns, Creamer hopes new projects, like the renovation of Bachelor Hall, will make life better for Miami students. Creamer also hinted that a renovation of the Rec Center is coming as well.

When asked about the treasurer, Christian Pearson, a first-year public administration major and Associated Student Government senator, said he wasn’t entirely sure what the treasurer’s office does.

“It seems like a more behind-the-scenes position, like most administrative roles,” Pearson said. “With all the dynamic changes we are seeing around campus, the importance of the role is amplified.”

Alec Martin, a first-year integrated social studies education student, said the role isn’t one most students think about.

“I don’t know much about what the treasurer does, but I didn’t realize how important the position is for a university,” Martin said.

While Creamer’s role may be a mystery to students, it’s impossible to spend a day at Miami without interacting with at least one thing the treasurer oversees.

martino9@miamioh.edu