November 17, 1997
SUBJECT: Discussion of New College Policy C-12, Open Communication and Information
RECOMMENDATION
That the Board of Trustees review the proposed new policy and comment on any improvements or alternatives they wish to have developed for consideration when the policy is voted on at a later meeting.
RELATED BOARD POLICY OR PLANNING PRIORITY(Directive/Goal/Action Plan)
This item is consistent with Board Policy, B-1, Board Policy Principles, and B-2, Duties and Responsibilities, Board of Trustees.
RATIONALE
The proposed policy would establish the principle that College operations and decision-making processes are, to the extent feasible, to be conducted in a context of free speech and open access to decision-related information.
BUDGETARY CONSIDERATION
None.
RESOURCE PERSONNEL
Carol Nasworthy, Chair, Board of Trustees
Richard Fonte, President
Proposed new Board Policy (draft -- 11/5/97).
C-12. Open Communication and Information
College decision-makers need the high-quality information and discussion which can come only from fully-informed critical analysis of issues from many levels of the organization and from many points of view. Accordingly:
[1] Decision makers at all levels of the College shall encourage and make use of free exploration and expression of different ideas, viewpoints, and analyses on College issues.
[2] College decision-making and consultation processes shall be open except in unusual cases which clearly meet confidentiality criteria established by the President (which shall include any privacy protections required by law). This openness includes access to data being used in deliberations and to the decision options being considered; such information should be made available as early in the discussion/decision process as possible.
[3] Employees with information which they feel would improve the accuracy of decision-related data should make it available to all decision makers and at all stages and levels of decision making.
[4] Everyone participating in College discussions and decision-making processes should strive to express his or her opinions in a constructive, complete, and accurate manner. While discussions and communications should deal honestly with perceived problems, they should be conducted in a professional, courteous manner.
[5] College management directives, decisions, guidelines, and standard procedures shall be made generally accessible through an electronic system which shall also indicate who issued each item and if anyone is authorized to waive its provisions.