Code of Conduct Policy 114.01

Johnson County Community College
Series: 100 Board of Trustees
Section: Duties and Responsibilities of the Board

Applicability: This Policy applies to the Johnson County Community College (“JCCC” or the “College”) Board of Trustees (the “Board”).

Purpose: The purpose of this Policy is to set out the expectations for members of the Board.

Statement:

In carrying out their functions on the Johnson County Community College Board of Trustees, Board members are expected:

To recognize that to serve on the Board of Trustees of Johnson County Community College is to commit oneself to achieving the stated vision, mission and goals of the College with thoughtful and reasonable perspective and to supporting the community college movement in general.

To devote sufficient time, energy, thought and study to the duties and responsibilities of this elected office so that the Board member may render effective and creditable service to the citizens, employees and students represented by the Board member, as well as to fellow Board members.

To work with fellow Board members in a spirit of collaboration and cooperation even during differences of opinion that arise during vigorous debates. Civility and mutual respect and caring for the employees and students of the College, Johnson County citizens, and fellow Board members shall guide the conduct of Board members. Board members shall not engage in attacks which are purely personal or political in nature and shall not attack the integrity of or make accusations regarding individual, department or entity without a considered and good faith factual foundation. Board members shall promote mutual respect among one another and among all College stakeholders and shall not use their position to embarrass, intimidate or threaten employees, students, citizens, or fellow Board members. Members of the Board of Trustees are leaders in the community and their conduct is important to the College and to the community and should enhance and promote the College’s mission.

To base individual decisions as a trustee upon all available facts in each situation: to vote their honest conviction in every case, unswayed by partisan bias or prejudice of any kind; therefore, to acknowledge and abide by the final majority decision of the Board.

To remember at all times that as an individual, the Board member has no legal authority outside the meetings of the Board; therefore, the Board member must conduct relationships with the College employees, students, citizens and all media on the basis of this fact and engage in no private action that will compromise the Board.

To avoid the reality or the appearance of conflict of interest and to refuse to use the Board position for personal or partisan gain, thereby ensuring that the welfare of the institution is placed above personal interest or the interests of family members or others who may be personally involved in substantial affairs affecting the institution. Board members shall not misuse their position to advance their own personal economic, professional or social status.

To resist influencing the vote or other action of other Board members, or the actions of any employee, student or citizen through threat, promise of award, deception, exchange of vote or by means other than legitimate open discussion.

To forward any request for information about College employees, students, policies or other business of the College through the Board Chair or College President.

To bear in mind that the primary function of the Board is to establish effective policies for the College and to delegate authority for the administration and management of the educational program and the conduct of College business to the President and the President’s delegees.

To recognize that it is as important for the Board to understand and evaluate the educational program of the College as it is to plan for the business of College operations.

To follow all applicable College Policies, Procedures and Board of Trustee guidelines.

To welcome and encourage active cooperation by citizens and stakeholders of Johnson County and to engage in educational activities promoting the College.

To keep confidential all information of a confidential or sensitive nature provided to the Board, including specifically any information received or presented during executive session, the disclosure of which would be contrary to the fiduciary obligations of a Board member, infringe on the confidential personnel interests of an employee, compromise the attorney-client privilege, or violate any law or court order.

All Trustees are required to annually review this Code of Conduct and to affirm their commitment to uphold its principles.

Date of Adoption: 08/06/1990
Revised: 05/26/1993, 01/18/2018, 11/17/2022