| Form 990, PART I, LINE 1 and Part III, Line 1 |
The central mission of the University of Southern California is the development of human beings and society as a whole through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit. The principal means by which our mission is accomplished are teaching, research, artistic creation, professional practice, and selected forms of public service. Our first priority as faculty and staff is the education of our students, from freshmen to postdoctorals, through a broad array of academic, professional, extracurricular, and athletic programs of the first rank. The integration of liberal and professional learning is one of USC's special strengths. We strive constantly for excellence in teaching knowledge and skills to our students, while at the same time helping them to acquire wisdom and insight, love of truth and beauty, moral discernment, understanding of self, and respect and appreciation for others. Research of the highest quality by our faculty and students is fundamental to our mission. USC is one of a very small number of premier academic institutions in which research and teaching are inextricably intertwined, and on which the nation depends for a steady stream of new knowledge, art, and technology. Our faculty are not simply teachers of the works of others, but active contributors to what is taught, thought, and practiced throughout the world. USC is pluralistic, welcoming outstanding men and women of every race, creed, and background. We are a global institution in a global center, attracting more international students over the years than any other American university. And we are private, unfettered by political control, strongly committed to academic freedom, and proud of our entrepreneurial heritage. An extraordinary closeness and willingness to help one another are evident among USC students, alumni, faculty, and staff; indeed, for those within its compass the Trojan Family is a genuinely supportive community. Alumni, trustees, volunteers, and friends of USC are essential to this family tradition, providing generous financial support, participating in university governance, and assisting students at every turn. In our surrounding neighborhoods and around the globe, USC provides public leadership and public service in such diverse fields as health care, economic development, social welfare, scientific research, public policy, and the arts. We also serve the public interest by being the largest private employer in the city of Los Angeles, as well as the city's largest export industry in the private sector. USC has played a major role in the development of Southern California for more than a century and plays an increasingly important role in the development of the nation and the world. We expect to continue to play these roles for many centuries to come. Thus our planning, commitments and fiscal policies are directed toward building quality and excellence in the long term. |
| FORM 990, PART I, LINE 6 |
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HAS MANY VOLUNTEERS INCLUDING TRUSTEES, BUT DOES NOT FORMALLY TRACK THIS POPULATION. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4D |
OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES SPONSORED RESEARCH: THE MAJOR RESEARCH IS IN MEDICINE, ENGINEERING AND THE SCIENCES. THE INSTITUTION HAS 683 CONTRACTS/GRANTS AWARDED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND 657 AWARDED IN 2015-2016 BY PRIVATE CORPORATIONS, FOUNDATIONS, OTHER UNIVERSITIES, OR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR BASIC RESEARCH. FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 1 THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES IS CHAIRED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND CONSISTS OF NO LESS THAN SEVEN AND NO MORE THAN SEVENTEEN VOTING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. THE COMMITTEE IS ELECTED EACH YEAR BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. WHEN THE BOARD IS NOT IN SESSION, THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HAS ALL OF THE POWER AND AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD, EXCEPT THAT THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IS NOT EMPOWERED TO: (I) FILL VACANCIES ON THE BOARD OR ON ANY COMMITTEE THAT HAS THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD; (II) FIX THE COMPENSATION OF THE BOARD MEMBERS FOR THEIR SERVICE AS MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OR ANY COMMITTEE; (III) AMEND OR REPEAL THE UNIVERSITY'S BYLAWS OR ADOPT NEW BYLAWS; (IV) AMEND OR REPEAL ANY RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD WHICH BY ITS EXPRESS TERMS CANNOT BE SO AMENDED OR REPEALED; (V) APPOINT COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OR THE MEMBERS THEREOF; (VI) AUTHORIZE THE EXPENDITURE OF CORPORATE FUNDS TO SUPPORT A NOMINEE FOR BOARD MEMBERSHIP AFTER THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE NOMINATED FOR BOARD MEMBERSHIP THAN CAN BE ELECTED; OR (VII) APPROVE ANY SELF-DEALING TRANSACTION EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BY LAW. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 2 |
OFFICERS, TRUSTEES AND KEY EMPLOYEES SIT ON THE BOARD OF THE MAY DEWRIGHT TRUST: ROBERT ABELES (UNTIL 1/14/16) CARMEN A. PULIAFITO, MD (UNTIL 3/24/16) JOHN MORK JAMES STATEN (FROM 1/15/16) USC Trustee THOMAS BARRACK AND USC Trustee FRANK J. FERTITTA III HAVE A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP. USC TRUSTEE WILLIAM E.B. SIART AND USC SR VP, FINANCE & CFO ROBERT ABELES HAVE A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP. USC TRUSTEE ROBERT BRADWAY AND USC TRUSTEE RONALD SUGAR HAVE A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP. USC TRUSTEE MARK STEVENS AND USC TRUSTEE DANIEL EPSTEIN HAVE A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP. USC TRUSTEE (AS OF 12/02/15) J. KRIS POPOVICH AND USC TRUSTEE (UNTIL 8/04/15) JANE HOFFMAN POPOVICH HAVE A FAMILY RELATIONSHIP. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 11(B) |
The University of Southern California's Form 990 is reviewed at several levels. The University engages an external public accounting firm to assist in the preparation and review of its Form 990 and TO sign as paid preparer. Among those who conduct the review of the final Form 990 at the University include MANAGEMENT, external counsel, and the AUDIT AND COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. The review of Form 990 is conducted prior to it being filed and A FINAL COPY OF THE FORM 990 IS provided to each member of the BOARD OF TRUSTEES before it is filed. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 12 |
THE UNIVERSITY HAS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS PRACTICES POLICY AND PROCEDURE WHICH COVERS ALL COVERED EMPLOYEES AND THEIR CLOSE RELATIONS. A "COVERED EMPLOYEE" MEANS ALL FACULTY MEMBERS (INCLUDING PART-TIME AND VISITING FACULTY), STAFF AND OTHER EMPLOYEES (SUCH AS POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLARS), AND STUDENTS (INCLUDING POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS AND GRADUATE STUDENTS) EMPLOYED OR OTHERWISE ENGAGED BY THE UNIVERSITY. THE POLICY CONTINUES TO APPLY TO COVERED EMPLOYEES WHILE ON SABBATICAL OR OTHER LEAVES OR ON VACATION, WHILE VISITING OTHER INSTITUTIONS, AND WHILE CONSULTING WITH EXTERNAL ENTITIES. A "CLOSE RELATION" MEANS SPOUSES, DOMESTIC PARTNERS, AND PARENTS, CHILDREN, SIBLINGS, AND EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SPOUSES OR DOMESTIC PARTNERS. EACH COVERED EMPLOYEE OWES PROFESSIONAL LOYALTY TO THE UNIVERSITY AND MUST BE ALERT TO THE POSSIBILITY THAT OUTSIDE OBLIGATIONS, FINANCIAL INTERESTS, EMPLOYMENT, AND CERTAIN FAMILY OR INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS CAN AFFECT THAT COMMITMENT. THEREFORE, ALL COVERED EMPLOYEES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING WHETHER THEY, OR THEIR CLOSE RELATIONS, HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST OR COMMITMENT COVERED BY THIS POLICY. BECAUSE NO POLICY CAN ANTICIPATE THE FULL RANGE OF OUTSIDE RELATIONSHIPS AND ACTIVITIES THAT MAY GIVE RISE TO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OR COMMITMENT, COVERED EMPLOYEES MUST DISCLOSE ANY OUTSIDE RELATIONSHIP OR ACTIVITY THAT MAY GIVE THE APPEARANCE OF A CONFLICT AS SOON AS FEASIBLE AFTER DISCOVERY OF THE CONFLICT. THE UNIVERSITY MUST DETERMINE WHETHER A CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND/OR COMMITMENT IS MANAGEABLE BEFORE A COVERED EMPLOYEE IS ALLOWED TO UNDERTAKE THE ACTIVITY GIVING RISE TO THE CONFLICT. THE COVERED EMPLOYEE MUST COMPLY WITH ALL MEASURES PUT IN PLACE TO MANAGE, REDUCE, OR ELIMINATE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. THIS INCLUDES ANY REQUIREMENT THAT THE COVERED EMPLOYEE PROVIDE A FOLLOW-UP DISCLOSURE AT A REASONABLE TIME INTERVAL TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST OR COMMITMENT, AND HIS OR HER COMPLIANCE WITH THE MEASURES PUT IN PLACE TO MANAGE THE CONFLICT. ALL DISCLOSURES AS WELL AS DECISIONS ON HOW TO MANAGE THE CONFLICT SHOULD BE DOCUMENTED AND MAINTAINED BY THE PERSON OR COMMITTEE TO WHOM DISCLOSURE IS MADE, AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE POLICY. THE POLICY DOES NOT PRECLUDE THE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, PROVOST, OR DEAN, AS APPROPRIATE, FROM REQUIRING A COVERED EMPLOYEE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST OR COMMITMENT INFORMATION OR TO DO SO ON A MORE FREQUENT BASIS (E.G., BI-ANNUALLY). IF A COVERED EMPLOYEE HAS ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER AN OUTSIDE ACTIVITY MUST BE DISCLOSED, THE COVERED EMPLOYEE SHOULD CONSULT WITH HIS OR HER SUPERVISOR OR CONTACT THE OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE FOR GUIDANCE. SUPERVISORS WHO BECOME AWARE THAT COVERED EMPLOYEES UNDER THEIR SUPERVISION HAVE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OR COMMITMENT COVERED BY THIS POLICY ARE OBLIGATED TO ENSURE THAT THE CONFLICT IS APPROPRIATELY DISCLOSED. In addition to the procedures set forth in the universitys Conflict of Interest in Professional and Business Practices Policy, USCs Procurement Services department may identify actual or potential conflicts of interest or commitment in the course of performing its duties. In the event that Procurement Services identifies an actual or potential conflict of interest or commitment, it requires the covered employee to make a disclosure under the Conflict of Interest in Professional and Business Practices Policy, and verifies that all actual conflicts are managed before proceeding. Depending upon THE CONFLICT, Procurement Services may also refer the issue to the senior vice president for administration or his or her designee, for resolution. PURCHASING SERVICES MAY SUSPEND ANY FURTHER ACTION ON THE REQUEST THAT INITIATED THE DISCLOSURE UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE CONFLICT IS MANAGED. IN ADDITION TO THE PROCEDURES SET FORTH ABOVE, A UNIVERSITY FACULTY MEMBER OR NON-FACULTY EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO OBTAIN THE PRIOR WRITTEN APPROVAL FROM THE PROVOST AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS OR SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADMINISTRATION BEFORE HE OR SHE MAY ENDORSE OR AUTHORIZE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY. FAILURE TO DISCLOSE AND MANAGE ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST UNDER THIS POLICY, INCLUDING THE EXPECTATIONS DETAILED ABOVE ABOUT WHAT AN INDIVIDUAL SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT DO, MAY BE CAUSE FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION, WHICH MAY RESULT IN DISCIPLINE, UP THROUGH AND INCLUDING TERMINATION. FOR FACULTY, SUCH ACTION SHALL OBSERVE ALL PROVISIONS OF THE POLICIES PUBLISHED IN THE FACULTY HANDBOOK. ANY DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST A FACULTY MEMBER OR NON-FACULTY EMPLOYEE UNDER THIS POLICY MUST TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE SCALE OF THE OFFENSE, THE INDIVIDUAL'S INTENT, AND THE DEGREE OF WRONGDOING. THE UNIVERSITY MAINTAINS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY FOR MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. IN GENERAL, THE POLICY REQUIRES THAT A TRUSTEE MUST AVOID USING HIS OR HER POSITION FOR PERSONAL GAIN OR ADVANTAGE, OR TO OBTAIN A FAVORED STATUS FOR ANY SPECIAL GROUP, BUSINESS, OR FAMILY ENTITY WITH WHICH THE TRUSTEE IS AFFILIATED. THE POLICY APPLIES TO ALL VOTING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. A TRUSTEE WILL CONTINUE TO BE SUBJECT TO THE POLICY FOR FIVE YEARS AFTER LEAVING THE BOARD. IF A TRUSTEE BECOMES AWARE OF A FINANCIAL INTEREST THAT MAY BE MATERIAL, HE OR SHE IS REQUIRED TO IMMEDIATELY DISCLOSE THAT FINANCIAL INTEREST TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. SUCH DISCLOSURE IS IN ADDITION TO THE REQUIRED ANNUAL DISCLOSURES. - AFTER CONDUCTING A REASONABLE INVESTIGATION UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, WHICH SHOULD INCLUDE AN ANALYSIS OF COMPARABLE ARRANGEMENTS OR TRANSACTIONS OR THE RECEIPT OF AN OPINION FROM AN EXPERT IN THE RELEVANT FIELD, THE BOARD SHOULD DETERMINE IN GOOD FAITH WHETHER USC COULD OBTAIN A MORE ADVANTAGEOUS FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENT OR TRANSACTION WITH REASONABLE EFFORTS FROM A PERSON OR ENTITY THAT WOULD NOT GIVE RISE TO A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. - IN ADDITION, THE BOARD SHOULD DETERMINE BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE DISINTERESTED MEMBERS, WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE MATERIAL FACTS CONCERNING THE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENT OR TRANSACTION AND THE TRUSTEE'S FINANCIAL INTEREST IN THE ARRANGEMENT OR TRANSACTION, WHETHER THE ARRANGEMENT OR TRANSACTION IS IN USC'S BEST INTEREST, FOR ITS OWN BENEFIT AND IS FAIR AND REASONABLE TO USC. THE BOARD SHOULD MAKE ITS DECISION AS TO WHETHER TO ENTER INTO THE ARRANGEMENT OR TRANSACTION IN CONFORMITY WITH SUCH DETERMINATION. - SHOULD THE BOARD APPROVE THE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENT OR TRANSACTION IN QUESTION, THE TRUSTEE WHO HAS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST WILL BE REQUIRED TO ACT IN GOOD FAITH AND WITH FAIRNESS, AND TO REFRAIN FROM EXERTING UNDUE PRESSURE OR INFLUENCE. IN THE BOARD'S DISCRETION, IT MAY ALSO REQUIRE SUCH TRUSTEE TO BE SUBJECT TO THE OVERSIGHT OF A DISINTERESTED TRUSTEE. THIS POLICY HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE BOARD. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 15 |
THE COMPENSATION OF THE UNIVERSITY'S PRESIDENT, OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES IS DETERMINED ANNUALLY USING THE SAFE HARBOR PROCESS DESCRIBED IN TREASURY REGULATION SECTION 53.4958-6. NAMELY, A COMMITTEE OF THE UNIVERSITY'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES TAKES THE FOLLOWING THREE STEPS: (1) IT ENSURES THAT NO MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE HAS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST WITH RESPECT TO THE COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENT BEING REVIEWED, (2) IT LOOKS TO COMPARABILITY DATA AND SPECIALIZED COMPENSATION REPORTS (AND IN SOME CASES OPINIONS) PREPARED FOR THE UNIVERSITY BY COMPENSATION CONSULTANTS WITH RESPECT TO SIMILARLY QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS IN COMPARABLE POSITIONS AT SIMILARLY SITUATED UNIVERSITIES, AND (3) IT MAINTAINS A CONTEMPORANEOUS RECORD OF ITS DELIBERATIONS AND DECISIONS. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 19 |
THE UNIVERSITY MAKES ITS BYLAWS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS/ANNUAL REPORT, CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS PRACTICES, AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN RESEARCH POLICIES AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE. |
| Form 990, Part VII, Section A |
The title for James Staten is Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer (As of 1/15/16). The title for Robert Abeles is Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer (until 1/14/16) and Senior Vice President Emeritus (as of 1/15/16). The title for Carol Mauch Amir is General Counsel and Secretary of the University (Until 4/28/16) AND Senior Vice President and General Counsel and Secretary of the University (As of 4/29/16). The title for Dani Byrd is Interim Dean, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences (From 12/01/15). The title for Steve A. Kay is Dean, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences (Until 11/30/15). The title for Stephen Sarkisian is Head Football Coach (until 10/12/15). FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9 OTHER CHANGES IN NET ASSETS PRESENT VALUE ADJUSTMENT TO TRUST LIABILITY $9,291,559 |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.