MC3131 - Acceptance of Gifts

1. Institutional Regulations
   
   Iowa Code chapter 68B contains the provisions of Iowa’s “Gift Law.” This law specifically defines a “gift” and restricts the items which may be accepted by the DMACC Board of Directors and its employees. This procedure will clarify those items which may be accepted and outlines the responsibility of the Board and DMACC employees.
    
2. Procedures
   1. Public officials or employees may not accept, either directly or indirectly, any gift or series of gifts.
   2. Only the President or his designee may accept gifts on behalf of the College.
      1. Generally, no member or candidate of the Board of Directors, employee, nor that person’s immediate family member (spouse and minor children) may accept a gift.
      2. Formal acceptance of the gift requires the completion of the DMACC Gift Acceptance form.
   3. The legislature’s definition of a gift has excluded certain items. The following items may be accepted.
      1. Food or drink valued at less than $3.00 during one day.
      2. Informational material relevant to your official function, such as books, pamphlets, reports, documents or periodicals.
      3. Anything available or distributed to the public generally without regard to the status of the recipient.
      4. Actual expenses for food, beverages, travel and lodging given in return for participation in a meeting. These items must directly relate to the time of your participation in the meeting.
   4. The following items are practical examples of those activities which may have been acceptable previously, but are not acceptable under the new statute.
      1. Business meals, if provided by a firm which is seeking to be a party to a sales purchases, leases or other contract.
      2. Honoraria, if provided by a firm which is seeking to be a party to a sales, purchases, leases or other contract.
      3. Sale and private use of the proceeds of materials provided by a vendor for inspection, preview or other purchase consideration.
   5. Only the President or his designee may accept gifts on behalf of the College.

 

Relevant Policy: MC 313 Fundraising and Accepting Gifts on behalf of the College   

Reviewed: November, 2007

Revised:
July 1, 2000