BG.  Board Member Statement of Ethics

As a member of the Board of Regents of South Plains College, I will perform my duties in accordance with my oath of office. I am committed to serving the educational needs of the citizens of the South Plains region of Texas, and will strive to improve learning opportunities for each student enrolled at South Plains College. To this end, I shall adhere to the following ethical code of conduct:

1. Attend all regularly scheduled Board meetings insofar as possible, and become informed concerning issues to be considered at those meetings.
2. Bring about desired changes through legal and ethical procedures, upholding and enforcing all applicable statutes, regulations, and court decisions pertaining to community colleges.
3. Work with other Board members to establish effective Board policies and to delegate authority for the administration of the College District to the College President.
4. Work with other Board members to establish effective policies and practices prohibiting unlawful discrimination, including conduct that constitutes sexual harassment.
5. Recognize that I should endeavor to make policy decisions only after full discussion at publicly held Board meetings.
6. Render all decisions based on the available facts and my independent judgment, and refuse to surrender that judgment to individuals or special interest groups.
7. Encourage the free expression of opinion by all Board members, and seek systematic communications between the Board and students, staff, and all elements of the community.
8. Recognize that deliberations of the Board in closed sessions are not mine to be released or discussed in public without the approval of the majority vote of the Board.
9. Communicate to other Board members and the College President expressions of public reaction to Board policies and college programs.

10. Inform myself about current educational issues by individual study and through participation in programs providing needed information, such as those sponsored by the Texas Association of Community Colleges, the American Association of Community Colleges, and the Association of Community College Trustees.
11. Support the employment of those persons best qualified to serve as college staff, and insist on regular and impartial evaluation of all staff.
12. Avoid being placed in a position of conflict of interest, and refrain from using my Board position for personal or partisan gain.
13. Take no private action that will compromise the Board or administration, and respect the confidentiality of information that is privileged under applicable law.
14. Remember always that my first and greatest concern must be the educational welfare of the students attending the college.

REFERENCE: Adapted from National School Boards Association

Revised: 11/15/12