Fisk University

“As authorized by the board of trustees, a copy of the form 990 is distributed to the audit committee for changes and approval during november 2014. Copies of the form 990 are available to the full board of trustees upon request.”

“The fisk university ("fisk" or the "university") board of trustees (the "board") has adopted a conflict of interest policy (the "policy") that is currently in effect. The policy establishes a procedure for trustees to disclose conflicts or potential conflicts of interest as they arise. The policy also creates a procedure whereby the individual facts of each situation can be assessed in relation to the best interests of the university and an informed, unbiased decison can be made with regard to whether a particular conflict is permissible or inpermissible under the policy. The policy requires each trustee to sumbit an annual conflict of interest disclosure statement at least annually to the board secretary. New trustees are required to submit the annual conflict of interest disclosure statements upon accepting service on the board and in no event later than his or her first board/board committee meeting. The university endeavors to ensure strict compliance with this policy. To achieve this goal, the university continually reminds and educates the board members about conflict issues. At new trustee orientation, the university's general counsel provides a tutorial on conflict issues, reviews the university's bylaws regarding conflicts, and revews the terms of the policy, including reporting requirements. Also, at the beginning of each annual meeting of the board, the board members are reminded by the board's chairman, the university's president and the university's general counsel about conflict reporting requirements; and, the board members are required to submit an annual conflict of interest disclosure statement prior to the adjournment of the meeting. Following the meeting, the university's general counsel checks each annual conflict of interest disclosure statement received to ensure that all trustees have completed the required form. The general counsel obtains the annual conflict of interest disclosure statement from any trustee who did not attend the annual meeting of the board or who did not return the form at the adjournment of that meeting. Additionally, the university's bylaws specify the president or his or her designee(s) as the only university official(s) authorized to enter into a binding agreement on behalf of the university. By limiting signatory authority to the president, the university has centralized and standardized its contract review process. All contracts are required to undergo review by the university's general counsel, who submits a written recommendation with regard to the contract to the university's president. By centralizing and standardizing its contract review process through, at least these two offices, the university is able to, among other things, review all contractual arrangements to ensure that there are no undisclosed conflicts of interest issues presented in any such arrangement.”

“Governance and administration: ceo evaluation/selection the governing board of the institution is responsible for the selection and the periodic evaluation of the chief executive officer. The fisk board of trustees employs search firms that specialize in the placement of senior administrative personnel at institutions of higher education. The search firm then manages the entire recruitment process, including jos search postings, screenings of applicants and their credentials as well as the coordination of candidate interviews with selected members from the fisk board of trustees. Such searches are conducted on a 'highly confidential' basis and do not involve the office of human resources until such time as the board of trustees selects and announces the presidential candidate. In addition, the board of trustees, uses its legal counsel to formulate and/or review all presidential contracts for the university. Article v, section 1 of fisk university's ("fisk" or the "university") amended and restated bylaws (the "bylaws") confers to its board of trustees (the "board") the authority to appoint the president, who serves as the university's chief executive officer. Specifically, article v, section 1 of the bylaws states that the board is responsible for the selection of the institution's president. Pursuant to article iv, section 1 of the bylaws, the executive committee of the board is charged with responsibility of evaluating the president's performance and setting his or her compensation. Under this provision of the bylaws, the executive committee is comprised of the board chairman, vice-chairman, the secretary of the board, the chairpersons of each of the board's standing committees, and the president. The executive committee is staffed by the general counsel and secretary, who serves as an ex officio member of the committee. The bylaws direct the executive committee to develop, implement and evaluate the president's performance management program, compensation, and conditions of employment. The employment agreement between the university and the university's current president also sets forth a process for the president's evaluation. The employment agreement required the president to develop a performance plan under which he is to be evaluated. The agreement contemplates that the board may perform an annual or periodic performance review of the president. The date(s) and frequency of such performance review(s) to occur are to be determined in the sole discretion of the university's board of trustees, through the applicable committee of the board (the "committee"). The employment agreement also states that the president's initial performance plan shall be adjusted annually by the committee and the president prior to the close of each fiscal year. Compensation data is evaluated utilizing salary data provided by cupa-hr so as to compare fisk compensation data with comparable compensation for similarly qualified persons in functionally comparable positions at similarly situated organizations. Compensation data for the president, other officers and/or key employees of the university are kept in their respective personnel files within the office of human resources. Compensation data for the president and provost are also retained by the university's legal counsel.”

“Fisk university has copies of its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements on file to be made available to the public upon request.”

“Fisk university produces graduates from diverse backgrounds with the integrity and intellect required for substantive contributions to society. Our curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts. Our faculty and administrators emphasize the discovery and advancement of knowledge through research in the natural and social sciences, business and the humanities. We are committed to the success of scholars and leaders with global perspective. The d.e.t.a.i.l.s. Represents fisk's core values. Our values reflect our overall ethical and moral engagement. We, the fisk family, seek to internalize these principles and apply them in our day-to-day work and in our lives. Diversity: we believe that our individual differences are a collective strength. We will support and encourage diversity of opinion and of culture which aids us in building a collective wisdom that results in more powerful and relevant solutions to our challenges. Excellence: we believe that excellence is the result of a lifelong pursuit of the highest standards. At fisk, our collective quest is to earn merit through commitment to rigorous scholarship, cultural literacy, and high ethical standard. Teamwork: we believe that individuals achieve high standards when supported by the collective work of others. We reinforce this value by constantly creating opportunities to collaborate both inside and outside traditional alliances on our university, our proximate community, and the world. Accountability: we believe that we must hold ourselves to the highest standard when we make commitments. Consistent and measurable follow-through is essential for individual and team progress. We are forthright about our successes and shortcomings and we will position fisk for continued achievement. Integrity: we believe that it is our responsibility to prepare young people to be stewards of an ever changing world, which means that we must model behavior grounded in truthfulness and compassion. Leadership: we believe that leaders are obligated to empower those around them. We are consistent, transparent, and accountable. Through our words and behaviors we encourage others to exhibit these same attributes. Service: we believe that service is our ability to give the gift of knowledge to humanity. As we service, we become transformed and so are our communities.”