BOARD OF TRUSTEES – CODE OF CONDUCT (Policy)

Office of Origin: Board of Trustees
Responsibility: Director, President’s Office / Secretary to the Board of Trustees
Original Date Adopted: 5-19-26
Dates Reviewed: 5-19-26
Last Date Board Approved: 5-19-26

I. Preamble: Purpose and Intent

The Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees is entrusted by the electorate with the stewardship of the College’s mission, resources, and future. The successful operation and reputation of Lake Michigan College are built upon the principles of fair dealing and ethical conduct. This Code of Conduct is established to ensure that all Trustees adhere to high standards of personal integrity, honor the legal requirements of their office, and maintain the public’s trust. This document serves as a behavioral guide to complement the Board’s existing Governing Policies by defining the professional expectations for Trustees as they interact with one another, the President, the College staff, and the community.

II. Ethical Principles and Personal Integrity

  • Standard of Excellence: Trustees must follow high standards of ethics and conduct to maintain the community’s trust and preserve the reputation for integrity and excellence at Lake Michigan College.
  • General Conduct: Trustees shall use good judgment, based on high ethical principles, to guide their lines of acceptable conduct.
  • Ambassadorial Role: Trustees serve as the primary ambassadors of the College and shall treat fellow Trustees, the President, employees, students, and citizens with respect, courtesy, and a willingness to deal openly on all matters.
  • Honesty and Accountability: Trustees must be honest in all dealings and remain accountable for their own actions.

III. Fiduciary Responsibility and Conflicts of Interest

  • District Loyalty: Trustees owe a primary duty to the College and the community; this accountability supersedes any conflicting loyalty such as that to advocacy groups, other boards, or personal interests.
  • Self-Dealing: There shall be no self-dealing or conduct of private business or personal services between a Trustee and the College, except as procedurally controlled to ensure openness and competitive opportunity.
  • Recusal Protocol: A Trustee shall not participate in or vote on any matter in which they or their immediate family have a direct or indirect financial or personal interest.
  • Employment Limitation: No Board member shall qualify for employment by the College until six months after the termination of their duties as a Trustee.
  • Resource Stewardship: Trustees shall be good stewards of the College’s assets and shall not use College facilities or supplies except in the proper discharge of official duties.

 IV. Individual vs. Collective Authority

 

  • Governance vs. Administration: Trustees recognize that their responsibility is not to administer the College but to ensure it is well-administered through the President.
  • One Voice: On matters of policy, the Board shall speak with one voice through the Board Chair or their designee.
  • Staff Interaction: Individual Trustees have no authority to instruct or evaluate employees or insert themselves into employee operations.
  • Referral of Complaints: Trustees shall refer operational or personnel complaints to the President and will act on such complaints at public meetings only when appropriate.

V. Boardroom Conduct and Preparedness

  • Professional Preparation: Trustees commit to being properly prepared for deliberations by reviewing all meeting materials in advance.
  • Attendance and Punctuality: Trustees shall attend meetings on a regular and punctual basis and must notify the Chair or Secretary of an absence as far in advance as possible.
  • Supporting Decisions: Trustees shall support the legitimacy and authority of Board decisions, regardless of their individual personal position on the issue.
  • Information Sharing: Trustees shall collaborate and share information on matters of substance so that no individual Trustee possesses information that the entire Board should have.

VI. Compliance and the Censure Process

The Board is responsible for its own discipline and for holding individual Trustees accountable to this Code of Conduct.

 

  • Reporting Violations: Persons desiring to make complaints regarding violations of this Code may do so by contacting the Secretary to the Board.
  • Initial Review: The Board shall review the merits of any allegation; complaints deemed frivolous or without merit require no further action.
  • Investigation: If an allegation has merit, the Board shall initiate an investigation to gather facts in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.
  • Disciplinary Action: Trustees found in violation of this Code are subject to formal Board review and potential disciplinary action.
    • Formal Rebuke: A direct criticism of a Trustee's actions noted in the official Board minutes.
    • Censure: A formal motion of censure serves as a public reprimand and may lead to a suspension of Board privileges, such as travel or committee assignments.

Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees: Ethics Pledge

Term Year:

Trustee Name: ________________________________________________

As a member of the Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees, I recognize that I have been entrusted with the management of the College's physical and human resources. I understand that the continued success of the College depends on our community's trust, and I am dedicated to preserving that trust through scrupulous regard for the highest standards of personal integrity.
By signing this pledge, I commit to the following:

1. Fiduciary and Legal Obligations

  • I will act in a way that merits the continued confidence of the public and will prioritize the educational welfare of all students.
  • I will disclose any present financial or personal interest (direct or indirect) in any matter before the Board and will recuse myself from both the deliberation and the vote on such matters.
  • I acknowledge that I am ineligible for employment by the College for a period of six months following the conclusion of my service as a Trustee.
  • I will refrain from using College facilities, office supplies, or my position for personal gain or for the gain of friends and associates.

2. Governance and Authority

  • I recognize that my responsibility is to ensure the College is well-administered through the President, rather than to personally administer College operations.
  • I will refer all complaints and operational inquiries to the President and will avoid attempting to exercise individual authority over College staff.
  • I acknowledge that only the Board Chair or their designee is authorized to speak for the Board; when expressing personal opinions, I will clearly state that they are my own and not those of the Board.

3. Professional Conduct and Unity

  • I commit to being properly prepared for all deliberations by reviewing meeting materials in advance.
  • I will treat my fellow Trustees, the President, and College employees with respect, courtesy, and dignity.
  • I will support the legitimacy and authority of all Board decisions, regardless of my personal position on the issue.
  • I will maintain the confidentiality of all information discussed in executive or closed sessions and will arrive at conclusions only through legal and ethical procedures.

4. Accountability

  • I understand that the Board is responsible for its own discipline and that failure to comply with these standards may lead to a formal Board review, public rebuke, or a motion of censure.

Affirmation:

I have received and read the Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees Code of Conduct. I agree to abide by the principles and standards set forth in the Code and this Ethics Pledge.

 

Signature: ____________________________________________ Date: _________________