BD201 - Board Power and Duties

Authority shall rest with the Board in legal sessions, not with individual Board members except as authorized by specific Board action or statute. Members shall function at all times as part of a legislative policy-making body, not as administrative officers, and shall meet their legal responsibilities as trustees of the College.

The Board shall have four major duties:

1. Legislative/policy-making
   
   
   
   The Board represents the people of Area XI and shall function as its policy-making body having exclusive jurisdiction over the College, its students, and its employees.
   
   
   
   The Board has the exclusive responsibility of adopting new policies, or amending or rescinding existing policies. When writing policies, “President” means “President or designee.” Any formal action adding, modifying, or changing Board policies will be by a majority membership vote during an open meeting. Proposed changes must appear as agenda items before the Board may take official action to approve them.
   
   
   
   If passed, a proposal shall become effective upon its passage date or at the time stated in the proposal, whichever occurs last.
   
    
2. Executive
   
   
   
   The Board shall recognize and maintain distinctions between activities appropriate for the Board as the College’s legislative policy-making body and executive and ministerial activities performed by the College President and employees implementing policies. The Board shall select the College President and delegate to them the authority for formulating and overseeing all administrative rules and regulations, plans, and details necessary to ensure the Board policies are fulfilled in the College’s daily operation.
   
   
   
   Rules and regulations developed by the President or designee need not be reviewed or approved by the Board unless the Board places them on its meeting agenda.
   
   
   
   The Board shall recognize and support the College President as the main line of communication between itself and the internal and external College community.
   
    
3. Evaluation
   
   
   
   By carefully studying facts and conditions, the Board shall determine that College programs are operating pedagogically effectively and financially efficiently.
   
    
4. Judicial
   
   
   
   Iowa law and certain College procedures require the Board to render independent judicial decisions related to matters such as student and employee discipline and discharge. These decisions require fairness and independent consideration. Therefore, to ensure due process and consideration de novo to guarantee independent fair decisions for all parties involved, Board members shall avoid premature participation in any activities for which they later may be called upon to render decisions.

Iowa Code 279.8, .20

Iowa Code 280.12

Adopted: January 17, 1984
Reviewed: 2005, 2011, 2019, 2023

Revised:
January 10, 2000