Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Public Charity Status and Public Support
Complete if the organization is a section 501(c)(3) organization or a section
4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trust.
Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. See separate instructions.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2011
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
COUNCIL OF PUBLIC LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES
Employer identification number
41-1921743
Part I
Reason for Public Charity Status
(All organizations must complete this part.) See instructions
The organization is not a private foundation because it is: (For lines 1 through 11, check only one box.)
1
2
3
4
5
section 170(b)(1)(A)(iv). (Complete Part II.)
6
7
8
9
receipts from activities related to its exempt functions—subject to certain exceptions, and (2) no more than 331/3% of
its support from gross investment income and unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 tax) from businesses
acquired by the organization after June 30, 1975. See section 509(a)(2). (Complete Part III.)
10
11
e
By checking this box, I certify that the organization is not controlled directly or indirectly by one or more disqualified persons other than foundation managers and other than one or more publicly supported organizations described in section 509(a)(1) or section 509(a)(2).
f
If the organization received a written determination from the IRS that it is a Type I, Type II or Type III supporting organization, check this box
..................................................
g
Since August 17, 2006, has the organization accepted any gift or contribution from any of the following persons?
(i) a person who directly or indirectly controls, either alone or together with persons described in (ii)
Yes
No
and (iii) below, the governing body of the the supported organization?
................
11g(i)
(ii)
a family member of a person described in (i) above?
......................
11g(ii)
(iii)
a 35% controlled entity of a person described in (i) or (ii) above?
................
11g(iii)
h
Provide the following information about the supported organization(s).
(i) Name of supported organization
(ii) EIN
(iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 9 above or IRC section (see instructions))
(iv) Is the organization in col. (i) listed in your governing document?
(v) Did you notify the organization in col. (i) of your support?
(vi) Is the organization in col. (i) organized in the U.S.?
(vii) Amount of support?
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Total
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990.
Cat. No. 11285F
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2011
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2011
Page 2
Part II
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in IRC 170(b)(1)(A)(iv) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (Complete only if you checked the box on line 5, 7, or 8 of Part I or if the
organization failed to qualify under Part III. If the organization fails to
qualify under the tests listed below, please complete Part III.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year(or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2007
(b) 2008
(c) 2009
(d) 2010
(e) 2011
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") ....
2
Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf.......
3
The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..
4
Total. Add lines 1 through 3..
5
The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included
on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f)..
6
Public Support. Subtract line 5 from line 4.
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year(or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2007
(b) 2008
(c) 2009
(d) 2010
(e) 2011
(f) Total
7
Amounts from line 4..
8
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources..
9
Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on..
10
Other income. (Explain in Part IV.) Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets..
11
Total support (Add lines 7 through 10).
12
Gross receipts from related activities, etc. (See instructions.)
..................
12
13
First Five Years
If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization,
check this box and stop here..........................................
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
14
Public Support Percentage for 2010 (line 6 column (f) divided by line 11 column (f))
.........
14
15
Public Support Percentage for 2009 Schedule A, Part II, line 14
...............
15
16a
33 1/3% support test—2011.
If the organization did not check the box on line 13, and line 14 is 33 1/3% or more, check this box
and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
......................
b
33 1/3% support test—2010.
If the organization did not check the box on line 13 or 16a, and line 15 is 33 1/3% or more, check this
box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
.....................
17a
10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2011.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, or 16b and line 14
is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts and circumstances" test, check this box and stop here. Explain
in Part IV how the organization meets the "facts and circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported
organization
..................................................
b
10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2010.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, or 17a and line
15 is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts and circumstances" test, check this box and stop here.
Explain in Part IV how the organization meets the "facts and circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
..............................................
18
Private Foundation
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, 17a or 17b, check this box and see
instructions
...................................................
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2011
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2011
Page 3
Part III
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in IRC 509(a)(2) (Complete only if you checked the box on line 9 of Part I or if the organization
failed to qualify under Part II. If the organization fails to qualify under
the tests listed below, please complete Part II.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year(or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2007
(b) 2008
(c) 2009
(d) 2010
(e) 2011
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") .
2,040
37,015
150,000
189,055
2
Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose......
72,000
228,000
251,133
265,316
253,834
1,070,283
3
Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513..
4
Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf...
5
The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..
6
Total. Add lines 1 through 5.
72,000
228,000
253,173
302,331
403,834
1,259,338
7a
Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons...
35,540
150,000
185,540
b
Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year.
c
Add lines 7a and 7b..
35,540
150,000
185,540
8
Public Support (Subtract line 7c from line 6.)
1,073,798
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2007
(b) 2008
(c) 2009
(d) 2010
(e) 2011
(f) Total
9
Amounts from line 6...
72,000
228,000
253,173
302,331
403,834
1,259,338
10a
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources..
5,562
1,262
63
435
190
7,512
b
Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975.
c
Add lines 10a and 10b.
5,562
1,262
63
435
190
7,512
11
Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.
12
Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.)
13
Total support (Add lines 9, 10c, 11 and 12.).
77,562
229,262
253,236
302,766
404,024
1,266,850
14
First Five Years
If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization,
check this box and stop here.............................................
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
15
Public Support Percentage for 2011 (line 8 column (f) divided by line 13 column (f))
.........
15
84.760 %
16
Public support percentage from 2010 Schedule A, Part III, line 15
...............
16
99.220 %
Section D. Computation of Investment Income Percentage
17
Investment income percentage for 2011 (line 10c column (f) divided by line 13 column (f))
......
17
1.000 %
18
Investment income percentage from 2010 Schedule A, Part III, line 17
.............
18
1.000 %
19a
33 1/3% support tests—2011.
If the organization did not check the box on line 14, and line 15 is more than 33 1/3% and line 17 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
..........
b
33 1/3% support tests—2010.
If the organization did not check a box on line 14 or line 19a, and line 16 is more than 33 1/3% and line 18 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
....
20
Private Foundation
If the organization did not check a box on line 14, 19a or 19b, check this box and see instructions
.....
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2011
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2011
Page 4
Part IV
Supplemental Information.
Supplemental Information. Complete this part to provide the explanation required by Part II, line 10; Part II, line 17a or 17b; or Part III, line 12. Also complete this part for any additional information. (See instructions).
Facts And Circumstances Test
Explanation
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2011
Additional Data
Software ID:
Software Version:
-
TIN:
SCHEDULE O (Form 990 or 990-EZ)
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Supplemental Information to Form 990 or 990-EZ
Complete to provide information for responses to specific questions on
Form 990 or to provide any additional information.
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2011
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
COUNCIL OF PUBLIC LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES
Employer identification number
41-1921743
Identifier
Return Reference
Explanation
ORGANIZATION'S MISSION
FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION
TO ADVANCE THE AIMS OF ITS MEMBER INSTITUTIONS AND DRIVE AWARENESS OF THE VALUE OF HIGH-QUALITY, PUBLIC LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION IN A STUDENT-CENTERED, RESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENT. IT CONSISTS OF 26 MEMBER COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN 24 STATES AND ONE CANADIAN PROVINCE.
FIRST ACCOMPLISHMENT DESCRIPTION
FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A
UNDERGRADUATE WORKSHOP;) BUILDING CAPACITY WITHIN AND AMONG OUR MEMBER SCHOOLS (REGIONAL UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH CONFERENCES, NATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE COLLABORATION); SUPPORTING AND COORDINATING GATHERINGS OF ADMINISTRATORS, FACULTY AND STAFF TO EXAMINE THE WORK THEY DO WITHIN THE PUBLIC LIBERAL ARTS SETTING (STUDY AWAY/ABROAD OFFICERS, COPLAC ANNUAL CONFERENCE, SUB-GROUP MEETING AT PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION CONFERENCES); ASSESSING THE WORK WE ARE DOING (HIGHER EDUCATION DATA SHARING, STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOME SURVEY); AND PROVIDING INFORMATION AND RESOURCES TO OUR MEMBERS (WEBSITE RESOURCES, DATA PROFILE) 2012 CUR WORKSHOP: THIS TWO-DAY WORKSHOP KICK STARTED THE ANNUAL MEETING, GATHERING THE TEAM LEADERS FROM 22 COPLAC CAMPUSES TO DISCUSS WHAT ADVANCE HAD BEEN MADE TOWARD INSTITUTIONALIZING UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH AT THEIR HONE CAMPUS SINCE LAST YEAR'S MEETING. EACH TEAM LEADER GAVE A PRESENTATION ON THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND GOALS FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR. THE COUNCIL FOR UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH (CUR) PROVIDED FACILITATORS AND MATERIALS FOR THE PARTICIPANTS, SPLITTING THE HOUSING AND MEALS COST WITH COPLAC. COPLAC'S BOARD APPROVED A 375 TRAVEL STIPEND TO ALL TEAM LEADERS TO ASSIST WITH THEIR TRAVEL TO THE MEETING. 2012 ANNUAL CONFERENCE: THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 54 PARTICIPANTS AT THIS CONFERENCE HELD AT THE UNIVERSTIY OF VIRGINIA'S COLLEGE AT WISE. PROGRAMMING WAS HELD OVER THREE DAYS WITH THE COPLAC OFFICE COORDINATING PRESIDENTS AND PROVOSTS WORKING SESSIONS, AND THE ANNUAL BOARD MEETING HELD ON THE SECOND DAY. GRANT FUNDS RECEIVED FORM A FOUNDATION WERE USED FOR AN INITIAL PLANNING MEETING IN THE FALL WITH THE 11 MEMBER STEERING COMMITTEE AND TWO OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS. THE GRANT PURPOSE ENABLES STUDENTS TO WORK WITH FACULTY MENTORS ACROSS THE CONSORTIUM USING DISTANCE TECHNOLOGY. THIS ALLOWS STUDENTS ACCESS TO FACULTY EXPERTISE AT THE MEMBER CAMPUSES. THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED WITH A SERIES OF IMPLEMENTATION MEETINGS DURING THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE AT WISE. GRANT FUNDS WERE USED TO COVER TRAVEL EXPENSES FOR THE FACULTY MEMBERS, DEANS, AND OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS ON THE STEERING COMMITTEE. OTHER PROGRAM AREAS WERE AS FOLLOWS: 2012 AAC&U CONFERENCE 2011 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH CONFERENCE, KEENE STATE COLLEGE 2012 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH CONFERENCE, GEORGIA COLLEGE 2012 FACULTY INSTITUTE ON MATHEMATICS
ORGANIZATION'S PROCESS USED TO REVIEW FORM 990
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B
FORM 990 IS PREPARED BY AN INDEPENDENT AUDITOR. ALL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS RECEIVE AN EMAIL OR COPY OF THE IRS FORM FOR THEIR REVIEW. APPROVAL OF FORM 990 IS MADE BY THE PRESIDENT AND TREASURER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COPLAC.
ENFORCEMENT OF CONFLICTS POLICY
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C
AS THE BOARD'S ANNUAL MEETING HELD IN JANUARY, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE AAC&U CONFERENCE, EACH PRESIDENT IS ASKED TO CONSIDER AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST THEY MAY HAVE AND TO SIGN COPLAC'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. THE FORMS ARE KEPT ON FILE IN THE COPLAC OFFICE.
COMPENSATION PROCESS FOR TOP OFFICIAL
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A
THE COPLAC SEARCH COMMITTEE WORKED WITH AN EXECUTIVE SEARCH FIRM TO HIRE THE FIRST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COPLAC AND WITH ADVICE FROM THAT FIRM, THE COPLAC SEARCH COMMITTEE ARRIVED AT THE COMPENSATION CALCULATED AT THE START OF JUNE 2009. THE ED WAS REAPPOINTED AT THE JUNE 2011 ANNUAL BOARD MEETING FOR A SECOND TWO-YEAR TERM AND WAS CONFIRMED ON HIS PRODUCTIVE WORK AT THE JUNE 2012 ANNUAL BOARD MEETING. THE ED IS AN EMPLOYEE OF UNCA AND HIS SALARY ADJUSTMENTS WILL BE DETERMINED BASED ON UNCA'S SALARY ADJUSTMENT SCHEDULE. THERE WAS NO INCREASE TO THE ED'S SALARY IN 2012.
GOVERNING DOCUMENTS DISCLOSURE EXPLANATION
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19
UPON WRITTEN REQUEST, THE ORGANIZATION WILL PROVIDE COPIES OF GOVERNING DOCUMENTS TO THE PUBLIC.
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.