Code of Ethics for Board Members and Employees (Policy 1.300)

Policy:

1. Institutional commitment to ethical standards
   The Board of Trustees of the College is committed to the highest standards of excellence and professionalism as an institution that upholds the public trust. Consistent with the Florida Constitution and State statutes, the accomplishment of these standards necessitates the establishment of a code of ethics and of professional conduct that reflects these standards.
   
   The Board of Trustees of the College aims to promote and maintain an organizational environment and culture that promotes ethical conduct by setting high standards for professional conduct. All Members of the Board of Trustees, just as with the employees of the College, are expected to carry out their duties in a professional manner and in accordance with all College policies and procedures and controlling Federal and State law.
   
   Members of the Board of Trustees of the College shall be governed at all times by the applicable provisions of the Florida Government in the Sunshine Law, Section 286.011, Florida Statutes, and the Public Records Act, Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, and related statutes and rules, all as may be amended from time to time. The Board of Trustees affirms the value of transparency in government and its commitment to ensure that the College operates in a manner that is open to the public and encourages public confidence.
   
   Members of the District Board of Trustees and College employees shall be governed at all times by the applicable provisions of the Code Of Ethics For Public Officers And Employees (ss. 112.311-112.326, F.S.), as may be amended from time to time, with regard to matters including but not limited to:
   1. Solicitation or acceptance of gifts
      No Board Member or employee shall solicit or accept anything of value to the recipient, including a gift, loan, reward, promise of future employment, favor, or service, based upon any understanding that the official action or judgment of the recipient would be influenced thereby.
   2. Doing business with one's agency
      Subject to certain exemptions as set forth in Section 112.313(12), Florida Statutes, no Board Member or employee acting in a private capacity shall rent, lease, or sell any realty, goods, or services to the College. In addition, no Board Member or employee acting in his or her official capacity as a purchasing agent, or otherwise acting in his or her official capacity, shall either directly or indirectly purchase, rent, or lease any realty, goods, or services for the College from any business entity of which the Board member, employee, or his or her spouse or child is an officer, partner, director, or proprietor or has a material interest.
   3. Unauthorized compensation
      No Board Member or employee or his or her spouse or minor child shall, at any time, accept any compensation, payment, or thing of value when such person knows, or, with the exercise of reasonable care, should know that it was given to influence any action in which the person was expected to participate in his or her official capacity.
   4. Misuse of public position
      No Board Member or employee shall corruptly use or attempt to use his or her official position or any property or resource which may be within his or her trust, or perform his or her official duties, to secure a special privilege, benefit, or exemption for himself or herself or others.
   5. Conflicting employment or contractual relationship
      Subject to certain exemptions as set forth in Section 112.313(12), no Board Member or employee shall have or hold any employment or contractual relationship with any business entity which is doing business with the College; nor shall a Board Member or employee have or hold any employment or contractual relationship that will create a continuing or frequently recurring conflict between his or her private interests and the performance of his or her public duties or that would impede the full and faithful discharge of his or her duties.
   6. Disclosure or use of certain information
      No Board Member or employee shall disclose or use information not available to members of the general public and gained by reason of his or her official position for his or her personal gain or benefit or for the personal gain or benefit of any other person or business entity.
   7. Voting conflicts
      No Board Member or employee shall vote in an official capacity upon any measure which would inure to his or her private gain or loss; which he or she knows or should have known would inure to the private gain or loss of a relative or business associate; or which he or she knows or should have known would inure to the private gain or loss of a parent organization or subsidiary of a corporate principal by which he or she is retained. Such person shall, prior to the vote being taken, publicly state the nature of the person’s interest in the matter from which he or she is abstaining from voting and, within 15 days after the vote occurs, disclose the nature of his or her interest as a public record in a memorandum filed with the Office of the College President.
   8. Filing statements of financial interests
      Board members and employees as required by Statute shall file their statements of financial interests in a timely manner with Florida Commission on Ethics or other appropriate state, county, or local government office.
2. Board Members’ performance of duties and responsibilities:
   In carrying out their duties and responsibilities, the members of the Board shall perform the following manner:
   1. Acquaint themselves with laws, rules, and policies relating to public education and to observe and enforce them.
   2. Understand that the basic function of the members of the Board is to make policy - not to administer – and to discriminate between these two functions.
   3. Represent the entire College community.
   4. Transact College business in Board meetings only. Individual members have no legal status to bind the Board outside such meetings.
   5. Give the President full administrative authority for properly discharging her professional duties and hold her responsible for acceptable results.
   6. Accept all Board decisions once they are made and assist in carrying them out effectively.
   7. Attempt to provide the best program of education possible within the means available.
   8. Attempt to procure adequate financial support for the College.
   9. Bring any possible conflict of interest to the attention of the other members of the Board and the President.
3. Employees’ performance of duties and responsibilities:
   In performing their duties and responsibilities on behalf of the College, employees are expected to treat others with respect regardless of differences or points of view. Every College employee is expected to contribute to a safe environment where the free exchange of ideas is encouraged and to treat one another with dignity and respect. Therefore,
   1. Employees are expected to steward resources in the most thoughtful and prudent manner. Employees are expected to ensure that all resources are used for the designated purpose.
   2. Employees are expected to conduct their business with integrity. Potential conflicts of interest or commitment must be thoughtfully considered and disclosed to the immediate supervisor and/or Office of Human Resources as soon as possible.
   3. No employee shall use a position of authority for personal/private gain or advantage, to influence or encourage others to perform inappropriate or illegal acts, or to violate laws, regulations, or College policies.
   4. Employees should avoid any apparent conflict and must avoid any actual conflict between his or her professional responsibilities and personal interests in dealings or relationships with students.
4. Committees and Advisory Boards:
   1. In performing their duties, responsibilities, and service on behalf of the College, employees and community members are expected to treat others with respect regardless of differences or points of view. Every committee member is expected to contribute to a safe environment where the free exchange of ideas is encouraged and to treat one another with dignity and respect.
   2. In an effort to avoid the appearance of impropriety, any committee member acting in a professional, business, or familial relationship with any College employee, vendor, or contractor participating in the procurement process shall disclose that relationship in writing to the Chair of the Committee or the Office of Legal Affairs. An employee that fails to disclose a known relationship or conflict may result in appropriate disciplinary action including, but not limited to, dismissal from employment.
5. Reporting concerns or violations:
   1. Each member of the College community is expected to report violations or concerns about possible violations to this Policy that come to his/her attention.
   2. Supervisors have a special duty to promote adherence to the ethical standards set forth in this document, recognize and report violations, and enforce the standards.
   3. An anonymous system shall be maintained to enable individuals to report concerns or suspected violations involving criminal, unethical, or otherwise inappropriate activity or behavior.
   4. Violations of applicable laws, College policies and procedures, and retaliation against anyone who reports possible violations may result in appropriate disciplinary action including, but not limited to, dismissal from employment.
6. The President shall cause procedures to be developed to implement this policy.