BD 221 - Code of Ethics

A CREED FOR BOARD MEMBERS

I will listen.

I will recognize the integrity of my predecessors and associates and the merits of their work.

I will be motivated only by a desire to serve the students and the citizens of Merged Area IX.

I will recognize that it is my responsibility together with that of my fellow Board Members to ensure that Eastern Iowa Community College District (Merged Area IX) is properly run– not to run it myself.

I will work through the administrative staff members of the Board and not over or around them.

I will recognize that Board business may be legally transacted only in open meetings legally called.

I will inform myself on the proper duties and functions of a Board Member.
IN PERFORMING THE FUNCTIONS OF A BOARD MEMBER:

I will deal in terms of general educational policies.

I will function in meeting the legal responsibility that is mine, as a part of a legislative, policy-forming body.

I will consider myself a trustee of public education and will attempt to protect and conserve it.
IN MAINTAINING DESIRABLE RELATIONS WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BOARD:

I will respect the opinions of others.

I will recognize that authority rests with the Board in legal session – not in individual members of the Board.

I will make no disparaging remarks in or out of meetings about other members of the Board or their opinions.

I will recognize that to promise in advance of a meeting how I will vote on any proposition which is to be considered is to close my mind and agree not to think through other facts and points of view which may be presented in the meeting.

I will make decisions in Board meetings only after all sides of the question have been presented.

I will insist that committees be appointed to serve only in an investigating and advisory capacity.

I will consider unethical, and will thus avoid, star chamber or secret sessions of Board Members held without presence of the administration.
IN MEETING MY RESPONSIBILITY TO THE AREA:

I will attempt to appraise fairly both the present and the future educational needs of Merged Area IX.

I will be aware that student needs are not confined to the development of vocational skills and I will support programs with broad educational goals in addition to specialized courses.

In considering the needs of the students in Merged Area IX, I will not be provincial in my thinking, but will realize that their opportunities will transcend the borders of Merged Area IX and I will support program offerings accordingly.

I will attempt to procure adequate financial support for educational facilities and programs.

I will interpret to the Executive Officer as best I can the needs and attitudes of Merged Area IX.

I will consider it an important responsibility of the Board to interpret the aims and methods of Eastern Iowa Community College District (Merged Area IX) and the materials used in them to the people of Merged Area IX.

I will insist that business transactions of the organization be on an ethical, open, and above-board basis.
WORKING WITH THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND THEIR STAFF:

I will hold the Executive Officer responsible for the administration of the colleges in accordance with the policies established by the Board.

I will give the Executive Officer authority commensurate with their responsibility.

I will expect the colleges to be administered by the best-trained technical and professional personnel it is possible to procure.

I will appoint employees only on the recommendation of the Executive Officer.

I will participate in Board legislation only after considering the recommendation of the Executive Officer and only after they have furnished complete information supporting those recommendations.

I will expect the Executive Officer to keep the Board of Trustees adequately informed at all times through both oral and written reports.

I will expect to spend more time in Board meetings on educational problems and procedures than on business detail.

I will give the Executive Officer counsel and advice.

I will refer all complaints to the proper administrative officer or insist that they be presented in writing to the Board as a whole through the Executive Officer.

I will present any personal criticisms of employees to the Executive Officer.

DATE OF ADOPTION: 4/21/80
REVISED: 2/17/97; 11/20/06; 2/20/23
REVIEWED: 4/17/00; 4/21/03; 3/12/12; 3/9/15; 10/15/18
LEGAL REFERENCE: (Code of Iowa)
RELATED ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES: