B-5. POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND REVIEW
Value Statements
•
The Board of Trustees respects delineation of responsibilities for itself
and for the president of the College.
•
The governing board will conscientiously develop policy to represent the
best interests of the public and ensure that internal and external
constituencies’ perspectives are considered.
The Board of Trustees has responsibility for
formulating policy for the operation of the College. Accordingly:
[1] Division of
responsibility: The governance activities of the College shall
maintain a clear distinction between:
[a]
strategic, values-based policies, which are the responsibility of the Board of
Trustees,
[b]
administrative rules for employees to follow in implementing College policies,
which are the responsibility of the President, and
[c]
specific tactical decisions made in operating the various sectors of the
College, which are the responsibility of various operating units, structures,
or positions designated by the President.
[2] Policy development and
review:
In
accordance with the policy-governance model of Board operation, the Board
itself will set its agenda for policy development and review, based on its
analysis of the strategic needs of the College after internal and external
consultation, including consideration of any areas of policy development or
revision suggested by the President, employee associations, community, or
students. This policy agenda shall be updated twice a year, and the Board shall
conduct a comprehensive review of its policies for relevance, clarity, and
appropriateness each biennium.
The
Board Secretary has primary responsibility for coordination of the
policy-development activities of the Board, but the Board Chair shall act, with
the assistance of the President, to ensure that the policy topics identified as
important by the Board are scheduled for consideration, that employee
associations are notified of policy-development activities in a timely manner,
and that appropriate supporting information is provided. Policy-consideration
procedures shall provide each trustee opportunities to include alternative
provisions in the agenda materials, with preliminary selection by Board vote of
which, if any, of the competing provisions will be used as the basis for final
consideration and amendment.
[3] Discussion of policy
proposals:
Proposed
policy changes shall be placed on the agenda for discussion at one or more
Board meetings prior to that at which adoption is voted on. College legal
counsel shall report on any significant legal implications of policy proposals.
The President shall report on significant educational, operational, fiscal, or
administrative implications of policy proposals, including feedback provided
via internal shared-governance structures. Direct advice to the Board on policy
is also appropriate from interested groups or individuals, including employee
associations.
The Austin Community College Board of
Trustees adopted this policy on June 7, 1993 and amended it on January 5, 1998,
May 1, 2000, March 4, 2003, and April 4, 2005.
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