WNCC 2010 Self-Study Report - Western Nebraska Community ...

to create a bond. Many courses are designed to contain elements of awareness and ethics, and
organized athletics, residence life staff members, and other groups also seek to engage students.
The integrity of the College is evident to constituents through the published minutes of meetings of
the Board of Governors and other council and committees, as well as through advisory board
meetings, civic and charitable activities, the structure and actions of the WNCC Foundation,
collegiate athletics, visits to County Commissioner meetings throughout the service area, public
service by employees and students, and through coverage by the local news media. To uphold the
mission and confirm integrity, WNCC’s policies and procedures are closely monitored by the
President and Cabinet members and the College attorney. WNCC has formal statements about
academic integrity in the catalog and a brief statement on every course syllabus.
Internal Constituencies and the Institution
The WCCA Board of Governors
As elected officials responsible to the constituents of the expansive College district, the students,
the faculty and staff, and the state of Nebraska, it is imperative that the Board of Governors of the
Western Community College Area (Board) maintain integrity and credibility in the governance of
Western Nebraska Community College. The Board’s historical record with maintaining its
responsibility is impeccable.
Nebraska state law provides that the College Area be divided into five electoral districts that are
nearly equal in population and provides that two members be elected from each district. One
member is elected at-large from the entire district. Board members are elected for four-year terms
with a proportional number of members being elected every two years to assure continuity. In
addition, the Board provides for ex-officio membership on the Board for faculty and students from
each campus, for a total of three student members and three faculty members. The ex-officio
memberships provide two-way communication from these two vital segments of the internal public.
Board members are oriented to the College, to the Board, and to “boardsmanship” when members
first join the Board by incumbent Board members, executive administrators, and at special times,
national experts. Board members are encouraged to take part in the Nebraska Community College
Association, the Association of Community College Trustees, and other related professional
organizations. The Board has a long history of members participating in these organizations
As matter of law, policy, and practice, the Board conducts meeting in accordance with Nebraska’s
open meeting requirements. Particularly, this means that the Board provides adequate public
notice to its constituents of the time and place of the meeting, along with a preliminary agenda.
Interested parties are encouraged to attend to speak on issues or concerns and provide input to
the Board members for their deliberation. Further, the Board conducts all voting on issues in open
meetings. Executive sessions are only used for the purpose of protecting the privacy of
individuals, collective bargaining discussions, or briefing the Board on litigation proceedings.
Additionally, all meetings are conducted following established Board policy and Robert’s Rules of
Order. Board policy can only be changed by two-thirds vote and must go through a thirty-day
waiting period.
As an operational practice, the Board asks the College attorney to be present for all Board
meetings in order to provide assistance in the interpretation of state and federal law, legal
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