Proposed new Board policy: For possible adoption at the 11-4-96 Board meeting.

OPEN COMMUNICATION

To deal with its challenging tasks, the College needs the high-quality information and discussion which can come only from fully-informed critical analysis of issues from many levels and points of view. Such full discussion will be possible only if information about College operations is shared and if the advice which is received by decision-makers is not limited to a single official source. The College shall thus be managed in accordance with the following principles:

[1] It is the responsibility of decision makers to encourage free exploration and expression of different ideas and viewpoints; open expression is encouraged of any differences of opinion on the merits of proposals, actions, and conditions.

[2] College goals and objectives will be acheived within an ethical framework of open, mutually-respectful discussion. All people participating in College discussions should strive to express their opinions in a constructive manner and to make their statements as complete and accurate as they can.

[3] Information relevant to College issues shall be made accessible except when it clearly meets confidentiality criteria established by the President. Employees with access to data which they feel would correct errors in published information should make it available.

[4] While lines of communication and information should be varied and open, it is also essential that the College be able to make and implement clear decisions even when sincere differences of opinion exist. All employees, including those who advocated alternative actions, should work to make changes successful when they are adopted.

[5] A current version of each management decision or rule which is a binding directive to employees (other than direct instructions from an immediate supervisor) shall be made generally accessible through a unified system.

[6] Employees shall not be discouraged from reporting any instances in which they feel that action is being taken against them for acting in accordance with these principles or other Board directives.

alternative form of [6]

[6*] Employees are encouraged to report through administrative channels any instances in which they feel that action is being taken against them for acting in accordance with these principles or other Board directives.

This page was prepared by Hunter Ellinger on 10-22-96. This Web page was prepared on 10-25-96.