IV.C.11.  The governing board upholds a code of ethics and conflict of interest policy, and individual board members adhere to the code.  The board has a clearly defined policy for dealing with behavior that violates its code and implements it when necessary.  A majority of the board members have no employment, family ownership, or other personal financial interest in the institution.  Board member interests are disclosed and do not interfere with the impartiality of governing board members or outweigh the greater duty to secure and ensure the academic and fiscal integrity of the institution. 

The changes made at the College to comply with this standard were guided by Recommendation 10.

The Board has taken the initiative to address any behavior that is unethical by adopting Policy 2002.1 Board of Higher Education Violation of the Law, Codes of Ethics and Conduct.  When the Board is aware or informed of any actual or perceived violation of this policy the following process is implemented:

• The violation is addressed to the Board’s Chair/Chairperson
• An opportunity is given to the trustee perceived to be in violation of Policy 2002 to explain his/her motive to clarify or correct their suspected action or come to an agreed resolution
• The Board Chair/Chairperson appoints an ad hoc committee to investigate and recommend the course of action to the Board
• Sanction is determined by the Chair/Chairperson and may include to censure Trustee.  The Vice Chair/Chairperson will determine sanction in situation where the Chair/Chairperson is the individual that violated Policy 2002.

In August 2015, a Board member with a conflict of interest resigned from the Board of Higher Education.