Humane Society University

“Officers barsness, blackwell, reese, rodden, rowan, and waite were employed by another tax-exempt organization that also employs trustees block, pacelle, and unti. Therefore, these individuals had "business relationships" with each other.”

“The hsu board has no committees.”

“After internal accounting staff drafts the 990, the draft is submitted to hsu's independent tax preparers for their review and revision, as may be appropriate. The revised draft is then given to hsu's treasurer for further review. Once all staff and professional reviews/revisions are done, the treasurer sends the proposed final of the form 990 to the hsu board for its consideration. Once the board has had an opportunity to review and comment, the finalized version is filed with the irs.”

“The implementation of the conflict of interest policy emphasizes avoiding conflicts to begin with. The general counsel's office fields and usually resolves conflicts of interest and questions raised by staff or board trustees.”

“HSU MAKES ITS ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS AVAILABLE TO DONORS FREE OF CHARGE UPON REQUEST. FORMAL AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE FILED WITH STATE CHARITABLE SOLICITATION REGISTRATION AND ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO MAJOR DONORS AND, WHERE REQUIRED BY STATE LAW, TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC BY MAIL UPON REQUEST. HSU MAKES COPIES OF THE THREE MOST RECENTLY-FILED FORMS 990 AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST BOTH BY MAIL AND IN PERSON AT HSU'S OFFICES IN WASHINGTON, DC AND GAITHERSBURG, MD, AS SET FORTH IN IRS CODE SECTION 6104(d). THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY HAS NOT BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.”

“The mission of the humane society university (hsu) is education and professional development of humane movement personnel and supporters that are essential to the growth and strength of the animal protection movement, and directly advance the mission of the hsus and thousands of local societies and other animal organizations that increasingly rely on trained professional staff. Incorporated in 2008 as a private, non-profit institution, hsu offers academic instruction, degree programs and graduate certificates in animal studies, policy, advocacy, humane education and humane leadership, and continuing education programs to provide animal care and control professionals and others with advanced training in such areas as animal behavior, animal care, disaster response, humane education, law enforcement, and community coalition-building. In 2013, hsu conducted an in-depth assessment of its mission, programs, and resources and the changing external environment, in particular the varied and changing licensing requirements for online universities as a result of 2010 amendments to the higher education act. The assessment concluded that hsu's business model is not sustainable, especially given the increasing costs and regulatory demands of offering online undergraduate and graduate degrees. As a result, hsu ceased marketing and admission efforts in june 2013. Hsu is committed to teaching out its existing students and will do so until the final student completes his/her degree.”

“General Consultants - Total Expense: 22456, Program Service Expense: 22432, Management and General Expenses: 24, Fundraising Expenses: 0; Printing, Composition, Subscriptions - Total Expense: 3148, Program Service Expense: 3144, Management and General Expenses: 4, Fundraising Expenses: 0; Other Professional Fees - Total Expense: 8410, Program Service Expense: 8400, Management and General Expenses: 10, Fundraising Expenses: 0;”

“Consistent with prior years, the humane society of the united states (hsus), through its audit committee, provides oversight of the audit of the financial statements (which includes humane society university) and selection of an independent accountant (appointed by the audit committee of hsus) that audited the financial statements.”