POL 1.065 Board of Trustee Member’s Ethical Code

The Kirtland Community College (“College”) Board of Trustees (“Board) expects exemplary ethical and professional conduct of its members. This expectation includes the proper use of authority and the maintenance of appropriate dignity during Board and College functions and when representing the Board as an individual.

1. Board members at Kirtland shall exhibit unconflicted loyalty to the interests of Kirtland. This includes:
   • Protecting the College’s reputation and credibility while making decisions on its behalf,
   • Avoid conflicting loyalty to advocacy or special interest groups, membership on other boards, and the personal interest of any member acting as a consumer of the College’s services.
   • Serving the College through ethical deeds, actions, and representations,
   • Exercising ethical behavior by making decisions on behalf of the College that are solely beneficial to the students and ahead of their personal or professional interests and
   • Abiding by Conflict of Interest policies and the Board’s statement on the Standards of Good Practice for Members of the Board of Trustees.
2. Board members must avoid any conflict of interest concerning their fiduciary responsibility.
   • There must be no conduct of private business or personal services between any Board member and the College except as identified in policies that assure openness, competitive opportunity, and equal access to “inside” information.
   • Board members must refrain from using their positions to obtain employment at the College for themselves, family members, relatives, or close associates.
   • Should a Board member be considered for employment, they must temporarily withdraw from Board deliberation, voting, and access to applicable Board information.
   • Should a Board member become a paid employee of the College, they must resign as a Board trustee. The Board may vote to censure board members who become employees of the College.
3. Board members shall maintain the confidentiality of privileged information, including all information discussed in closed session.
4. The Board shall maintain a non-discriminating, caring, harmonious, honest, and cooperative tenor in all activities.
5. Board members shall maintain professional relationships with the college president and other employees. When a Board member encounters an issue communicated by employees, the community, or community members, this should be communicated to the College President.
6. The intention of the Board of Trustees is to act as one body. Board members have no individual authority and may not exercise individual authority over the organization or its employees. Board members’ interaction with the public, press, employees, or other entities must recognize the same limitation and the inability of any Board member or Board members to speak for the Board of Trustees.

Approved January 4, 2024