January 5, 1998

SUBJECT: Consideration of Proposed New Board Policy C-12, Open Communication and Information

That the Board of Trustees approve the proposed policy, after any desired amendments.

This item is consistent with Board Policy, B-1, Board Policy Principles, and B-2, Duties and Responsibilities, Board of Trustees.

The proposed policy establishes 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.

None.

Carol Nasworthy, Chair, Board of Trustees

Hunter Ellinger, Board Member

Richard Fonte, President

 Proposed new Board Policy (draft -- 12/15/97).

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 openly 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. Information which would aid the Board and President in assessing the compliance of the operation of the College with Board policies and directives should also be made available to them.

[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 dealing honestly with any perceived problems, people should strive to interact in a manner which creates and sustains mutual respect.

[5] College management directives, decisions, guidelines, and standard procedures shall be made generally accessible through an electronic system (with appropriate print-based support) which shall also indicate who issued each item and if anyone is authorized to waive its provisions.

Proposed new Board Policy (draft -- 11/5/97) as presented at the November 17, 1997 Board Meeting.

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.