3358:5-1-15. Board members' code of conduct

The board expects of itself as a whole, and of its members, ethical and professional conduct. This commitment includes proper use of authority and appropriate decorum in group and individual behavior when acting as board members.

(A) Board members must represent unconflicted loyalty to the interests of the ownership.

This accountability supersedes any conflicting loyalty such as that to advocacy or interest groups and membership on other boards or staffs. This accountability supersedes the personal interest of any board member acting as an individual consumer of the college's services.

(B) Board members must avoid any conflict of interest or appearance of conflict of interest with respect to their fiduciary responsibility. Board members shall conduct themselves at all times in compliance with section 102.03 of the Revised Code, governing restrictions on public officials, and section 2921.42 of the Revised Code, governing unlawful interests in public contracts.

(1) There shall be no self-dealing or conduct of private business or personal services between any board member and the college. Conduct of private business or personal services between any board member and any public agency other than the college shall be in compliance with section 102.04 of the Revised Code.

(2) Board members must not use their positions to obtain employment in the college for themselves, family members, or close associates.

(3) Should a board member be offered and accept employment with the college, he or she shall resign from the board.

(4) Board members shall file the financial disclosure statements required by the Ohio Ethics Commission in a timely manner each year.

(C) Board members may not attempt to exercise individual authority over the college except as explicitly set forth in board policies.

(1) Board members' interaction with the president or with staff must recognize the lack of authority in any individual board member or group of board members, except as noted in this rule.

(2) Board members' interaction with the public, press, or other entities must recognize the same limitation and the similar inability of any board member or board members to speak for the board.

(3) The board of trustees will always speak officially as one voice. Individual board members may not exercise, nor attempt to exercise, any authority over the board or the college, except as specifically provided by board policies.

(4) Although the board expects its members to represent diverse opinions and viewpoints and encourages them to express their ideas and thoughts at board meetings, individual opinions shall not be presented to the public as official board positions, policies, or actions.

(5) Board members are required to be punctual and prepared for all meetings, and they are expected to participate productively in board discussions.

(6) Board members are required to attend three-fifths of all regular and special meetings, as required by paragraph (A) of section 3.17 of the Revised Code.

(7) Board members will make no judgments of the president or staff performance, except as that performance is assessed against explicit board policies by the official process.

Effective: 3/18/2015
Promulgated Under: 111.15
Statutory Authority: 3358
Rule Amplifies: 3358
Prior Effective Dates: 10/14/02