Bellarmine University

“Mr. Steve trager, mr. W. Patrick mulloy, and mr. Ernest marshall, current trustees, have a business relationship. Mr. Russ cox, current trustee, is the president and ceo of norton healthcare and mr. Craig grant, current trustee, is a member of the board of norton healthcare.”

“The 990 is prepared by dean dorton with information gathered from the university. The final return is reviewed in detail by the associate vice-president for business affairs. The avp is an attorney and cpa with 20+ years of tax experience. Continuing education on tax requirements is provided to those involved with the preparation and review of the 990. The return is given to the audit committee. The audit committee reviews and discusses the return. The audit committee reports information regarding the 990 to the full board prior to filing.”

“The organization sends its conflict of interest policy to all board members annually. The vp for finance monitors that all members return a signed copy indicating they have reviewed the policy and listed any potential conflicts. Any board member who has a conflict of interest on items that are voted on at the trustee level recuse themselves from the vote. Conflicts in the normal course of business that do not require a board vote are noted and the university follows normal purchasing and bid procedures. Additionally, all employees receive a university handbook and sign an acknowledgment indicating such receipt. The conflict of interest policy is located within the staff handbook. Lastly, the organization maintains an ethics and compliance hotline alongside a system named "red flag reporting". This system, operated by a local public accounting firm, allows students and staff to report any concerns regarding improper activity within the university with the option to remain anonymous. Interested parties may report improper activity by calling 1-877-647-3335 or visiting redflagreporting.com.”

“The presidential contract and compensation committee of the board of trustees reviews the president's salary on a yearly basis; including base compensation, bonus and fringe benefits. The presidential contract and compensation committee evaluates the compensation of the president based on established goals and discusses and approves the new salary on an annual basis. The university and president are bound by a contract. The contract is negotiated and/or extended by the presidential contract and compensation committee of the board with approval of the full board of trustees. As part of the evaluation process used by the presidential contract and compensation committee of the board, market data, salary surveys of similar institutions, and other relevant information are reviewed in conjunction with the president's report on accomplishments. All employees, other than the president, are evaluated by their immediate supervisor on an annual basis. The vice-presidents of the university are evaluated by the president. The university uses cupa data to compare salaries for other like institutions to our compensation.”

“The university makes available its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements to the general public upon request during the regular business hours of the university. The 990 is also available on guidestar for public inspection.”

“The responsibility for the oversight of the audit and the selection of the independent certified public accountant has not changed since the last fiscal year.”