“I thank USI for the generous donation because the funds have helped me academically in a huge way! I am very thankful for the scholarship and gracious that we have organizations such as USI who truly care for the students of Edinboro University.” A.R. (recipient of one of the USI Financial Hardship Scholarships)

Psst ... Want to hear a secret? The Campus Bookstore / USI provides valuable funding and services to Edinboro University! We are proud of what we do and who we serve and we don't think this should be a secret. Money spent at the bookstore stays on campus and benefits students! In these tough economic times, isn't it nice to know that the money you spend is helping those who need it? As a 501 c (3) non-profit, we pay no federal taxes on our net income - which allows us to pass that money along to Edinboro University in the form of significant contributions for scholarships and general philanthropy.

Here are a few examples of donations made from the Campus Bookstore / USI to Edinboro University in 2016-2017:

• A $100,000 donation was made towards the USI Financial Hardship Scholarship
• A $60,000 donation was made towards the Academic Excellence Scholarship
• A $17,000 donation was made to the Edinboro University Student Government Association
• A $30,000 donation was made to the Porreco Promise
• Over $5,000 of merchandise and gift cards were donated to/for various student groups and on-campus events.
• USI funded two $500 scholarships (on behalf of the UFCW local 23) to two student employees working in the bookstore.

Here are some of the initiatives undertaken by the Campus Bookstore / USI that benefit the students of Edinboro University:

• We offer lower cost alternatives for course materials via our constantly expanding textbook rental program.
• We offer textbook price comparisons directly on the bookstore website.
• We offer Adobe and Microsoft software at student discounted prices on the bookstore website.
• We offer copy/duplicating services at our full-service copy center, Piper Press.
• We lease space to the YMCA Early Learning University so that they can offer child care to university affiliated families.
• We manage all of the full-service vending on the campus of Edinboro University.

EDINBORO UNIVERSITY SERVICES, INC.

In 1963, Edinboro State College Student Services, Inc. (SSI) was chartered under Commonwealth law as a “not-for-profit” corporation. It filed for and received a tax exempt status as a 501 (C) (3) tax exempt organization from the Internal Revenue Service. In 1983, the corporation changed its name to more accurately reflect the breadth of activities in which it was engaged in support of Edinboro University - at that time SSI became Edinboro University Services, Incorporated (USI).

Over the years there have been significant changes in how the corporation was structured, how it operated and what initiatives it undertook. Central to the corporation has been and continues to be the sale of educational materials at the Campus Bookstore. Currently, USI operates the Campus Bookstore and Piper Press as well as manages vending operations on the campus of Edinboro University. Income from these operations are used to undertake numerous activities that are aligned with the initiatives of the University. In short, USI exists to provide needed services to students, faculty and staff of Edinboro University. All in all, the corporation provides substantial assistance and support to the university via funding scholarships, monetary donations and other philanthropic endeavors. It has served the university in numerous philanthropic and service activities over the past 40+ years. It has been in many respects the principal auxiliary corporation for the University. Indeed, USI’s reason for being is to support Edinboro University.

Since its inception the corporation’s activities have been governed by a Board of Directors. Up until 2000, the composition of the board included administrators, faculty and students. In 2000, the board resolved to adopt revised bylaws to bring the corporation into compliance with the Pennsylvania State system of Higher Education Board of Governors policy 1985-04-A. The USI board is now comprised of non-university employees. No university employee who provides support or staff services to an affiliated organization, may vote, govern, or otherwise risk adverse interest through such service.

An independent Certified Public Accountant (or CPA firm) is engaged to examine the corporation’s records on an annual basis. The CPA issues a report on the quality of the accounting activity through an opinion letter and issues an independent audited financial report, detailing the activities of the corporation. No “qualified opinion” has ever been rendered against USI and each management letter has indicated the absence of “material weaknesses” in it's financial reporting.