Policies + Procedures — Governance + Compliance — Board of Trustees

1.1 Board of Trustees Responsibilities

I. Purpose

Enumerate responsibilities assigned to the Board of Trustees.

II. Scope

The actions of all members of the Board of Trustees are subject to this policy.

III. General

The board of trustees is vested by law with all the powers and authority to govern effectively and set policy for the college in accordance with the laws of Pennsylvania as set forth in the Community College Act of 1963", Act 484, P.L. 1132, its amendments and supplements, except as limited by law. These essential responsibilities include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

Accept their responsibility as a public service without compensation, except that they shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
Ensure that the college’s mission and strategic direction is kept current and is aligned with public purposes.
Select a president to serve as the chief executive of the college.
At least annually assess the performance of the president and establish and review the president’s compensation.
Establish institutional governance and compliance policies.
Oversee and approve the annual budget of the college, including any changes in tuition and fees.
Authorize the construction of new buildings and major renovations of existing buildings.
Establish, review and approve changes in the educational programs of the college, consistent with its mission.
Approve collective bargaining agreements or handbooks for all employee groups.
Confer the lifetime title of Trustee Emeritus.

To establish a shared understanding of expectations and standards, the Board of Trustees agrees that each member trustee will:

Sustain and advance the college’s mission, traditions, values, and reputation.
Demonstrate functional understanding of the difference between oversight and management—that is, between the roles of the board and the administration.
Acknowledge that the Chair is the spokesperson through whom the Board communicates with governmental and accrediting agencies ensuring that information provided is accurate, consistent and complete.
Learn how the college functions—its uniqueness, strengths, needs, finances, educational programs, and its place in higher education.
Regularly attend meetings of the board, well informed and prepared in advance.
Regularly attend meetings of board committees as assigned, well informed and prepared in advance.
Support the college, as able, through philanthropic contributions and/or the identification and solicitation of potential contributors to the college.
In keeping with the board’s policy on conflict of interest, disclose promptly and fully any potential or actual conflicts of interest, and personally maintain exemplary ethical standards.
Recognize that the President and the administration are responsible to the board as a whole and not to individual trustees.
Not have any personal interactions with college personnel on college-related activities or matters, without the express permission of the President.
Be committed to serving the college as a whole rather than any part of it or any personal or political cause.
Support the consensus of the board after fully exercising the responsibility to debate and disagree.
Maintain confidentiality as required or appropriate.
Serve as a public advocate and ambassador for the college. Advocate the college’s interests, but speak for the board or the college only when authorized to do so by the board or the chair.