Peirce College

“The form 990 was prepared by a nationally renowned accounting firm in conjunction with the organization's financial department. The form is then submitted to an audit, risk & compliance management committee of the board for approval. A copy of the draft 990 is then circulated to the full board of trustees for discussion and comment on the information contained in the 990 prior to its filing with the internal revenue service.”

“Conflict of interest policy monitoring & enforcement: the college requires each employee including the president/ceo and other key employees to complete and sign a written conflicts of interest statement that includes questions that can determine if the employee has a relationship, financial interest or business affiliation that results in a conflict of interest. These statements are completed annually by the employee and at any time an employee becomes aware of facts which require an additional or updated disclosure. These statements are returned to human resources for review and if necessary further action may be required. The college also requires each trustee including trustee officers to complete and sign a conflict of interest questionnaire that can determine if the trustee has a relationship, financial interest or business affiliation that results in a conflict of interest. These questionnaires are completed annually by each trustee and returned to the board secretary and are reviewed by the office of the president and if necessary further action may be required. If a conflict of interest is identified, the following procedures are followed: (a) an interested person may take a presentation at a board or committee meeting, but after the presentation, he/she shall leave the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote on, the business relationship involving the possible conflict of interest. (b) the chairperson of the board or committee shall, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to that proposed business relationship. (c) after exercising due diligence, the board or committee shall determine whether the college can obtain with reasonable efforts a more advantageous business relationship from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest. (d) if a more advantageous business relationship is not reasonably possible under circumstances not producing a conflict of interest, the board or committee shall determine by a majority vote of the disinterested trustees whether the business relationship is in the college's best interest, for its own benefit, and whether it is fair and reasonable. In conformity with the above determination, it shall make its decision as to whether to enter into the business relationship.”

“Line 15a, process for determining compensation: mary ellen caro was elected president and ceo of peirce college in april of 2018. The compensation established for caro was determined as a result of a compensation study conducted in 2017 as part of the presidential search commissioned by the board of trustees. The compensation data was compiled using information from other colleges and universities as a guide in determining reasonable compensation for the president position. Line 15b, process for determining compensation: the compensation for the key employees of peirce college was determined by local and regional market surveys and information and data from local and regional publications and papers. This information, along with internal equity, determine the basis hire-in salary of key employees. Annually, key employees are evaluated by the president using a performance management document (pmd) which is standard review used by all managers throughout the college. This process also determines the percent of merit increases received. The merit increase percentages are determined as part of the budget process and the level of percentage increases given to the key employees is based on the scoring outcome of their pmd. Once the merit increases for the key employees are determined and approved by the president, the board of trustees is informed of the increases.”

“How documents are made available to the public: the college makes its form 990 available to the public by reserving a copy at its place of business. The form 990 is likewise published on the internet at www.guidestar.org. The organization's governing documents and conflict of interest policy will be provided at the discretion of management, if requested.”

“Organization's mission: peirce college empowers adult learners to improve their lives by achieving career goals through academic offerings aligned with evolving workforce needs.”

“Program service: founded in 1865, peirce college is a private, specialized institution providing practical leading-edge curricula to primarily working adult learners. The college awards the master of science in organizational leadership and management, the master of science in health care administration, and the bachelor of science and associate in science degrees. The degree programs are in accounting, business administration, criminal justice, general studies, health information administration, health information technology, healthcare administration, human resource management, information technology and paralegal studies. Peirce college offers its programs utilizing two interchangeable delivery formats: on campus at its center city philadelphia location and online through web based distance learning. Peirce college is accredited by the middle states commission on higher education. The bachelor of science and associate in science degrees and the certificate of proficiency in paralegal studies are recognized and approved by the american bar association (aba). The accreditation council for business schools and programs (acbsp) accredits peirce college's bachelor of science and associate in science degrees and certificates of proficiency in business administration and accounting.”