The board deliberates with many voices but governs with one.  The board will govern with an emphasis on outward vision rather than a preoccupation with internal affairs, strategic leadership rather than administrative detail, and a future orientation rather than past or present.  It will encourage diversity in viewpoints and collective rather than individual decisions.  It will strive for a clear distinction between the respective roles of the board and the college president. 

1. Code of Ethics

a. The board, recognizing its responsibilities in conducting the business of the district, and providing for an adequate educational program, accepts for guidance the following principles regarding any member.  Accordingly, the board:

(1) Owes first allegiance to the citizens of the district.

(2) Seeks to provide equal opportunity for all regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, or gender identity.

(3) Recognizes that it is the duty of the president of the college to make recommendations to the board regarding personnel which require board action.

(4) Recognizes that it is the duty of the board to formulate policies with the president of the college, but that it is the duty of the college president to implement policy through written procedures.

(5) Recognizes that funds dedicated to educational purposes must be wisely, honestly, and economically expended.

(6) Assists in keeping the public informed about the progress and needs of the college.

b. The individual trustee is responsible for ethical conduct.  Accordingly, the individual trustee:

(1) Does not seek special privileges or private gain.

(2) Does not use position to promote personal, business, or professional interest.

(3) Understands that the trustee has no authority as an individual but must act with the board as a whole and must be governed by the decisions of the
board.

(4) Will attend meetings regularly and be prepared to conduct business.  To facilitate this process, board members will check board email on a regular basis.
(5) Will disclose conflicts of interest and abstain from voting on or influencing college positions of such interests.

2. Code of Conduct

a.   The roles and responsibilities of community college governing boards and their trustees are described in Wyoming Statute, Board Policy, and in widely accepted published literature. In addition to these sources, the Board of Trustees of Central Wyoming College (CWC) agree that the following Code of Conduct (code) is essential to effective trusteeship. As a Board, we commit to follow this code and to respectfully remind each other of the code whenever necessary.

Members of the Board of Trustees shall:

(1) Focus on the future and set aside past events.

(2) Speak to fellow trustees, Central Wyoming College administrators, employees and students, and community members with respect.

(3) Listen to and consider others’ opinions even if they differ from our own.

(4) Never criticize the College President, CWC staff, or board members in public.

(5) Respectfully remind one another of the code in private.

(6) Comply with Wyoming Public Meeting statutes.

(7) Support the board decision even if our vote was in opposition.

(8) Never actively campaign against an item that the board has passed.

(9) Rely on the College President as the official spokesperson to the media.

(10) Set policies and allow our sole employee, the College President, to carry them out without our micromanagement.

(11) Always give direction to the College President as a board, not as an individual.

(12) Listen respectfully to College employees who contact us, but redirect or report that conversation to the College President.

(13) Notify one another and the College President prior to addressing sensitive topics in a public meeting.

(14) Govern in accordance with all statutory obligations and the CWC Policy Governance Manual.

(15) Maintain personal integrity in aspects of life outside of college as poor behavior reflects on CWC.

b.   Enforcement of Code of Conduct:

(1) Any member of the Central Wyoming College Board (CWCB) who reasonably believes that a violation of the Code of Conduct has occurred may report the violation to the CWCB Chair (or, if the CWCB Chair is the person who allegedly violated the Code, then to the CWCB Vice-Chair).  The CWCB Chair shall work with the person who allegedly violated the code to resolve the issue informally if possible.

(2) If informal resolution is not possible then the CWCB Chair shall request the matter be investigated by an independent third party and bring the matter before the CWCB for a formal hearing. The member alleged to have violated the code shall be given reasonable advance written notice not less than five nor more than fifteen calendar days of the time, place and date of hearing.  The notice shall also state the factual basis for the alleged violation and identify the provision of the Code of Conduct allegedly violated.

(3) Unless the member who allegedly violated the code requests a public meeting, the matter will be heard in executive session pursuant to the Wyoming Public Meetings Act.   The board will use the Wyoming Administrative Procedures Act provisions for contested cases where applicable.

(4) The non-accused members of the board will, by vote, determine first, whether the code was violated, and secondly, if there was a violation, what sanction should be imposed. Sanctions may range from public censure to suspension of travel privileges and a recommendation for removal. If the violation is severe enough, the board member may be removed from the board pursuant to our Policy Governance Manual which states that a Trustee may be removed from the Board “for cause.”  (See Policy IV B 4.)

3. Standards of Good Practice

In support of effective community college governance, the board believes:

a. That it derives its authority from the community and that it must always act as an advocate on behalf of the entire community;

b. That it must clearly define and articulate its role;

c. That it is responsible for creating and maintaining a spirit of true cooperation and a mutually supportive relationship with its president;

d. That its trustee members should engage in a regular and ongoing process of trustee development and continuous improvement; generally, each trustee is expected to attend at least one national or regional trustee development meeting every four years;

e. That its trustee members come to each meeting prepared and ready to debate issues fully and openly;

f. That its trustee members vote their conscience and support the decision or policy made;

g. That its behavior, and that of its members, exemplify ethical behavior and conduct that is above reproach;

h. That it endeavors to remain always accountable to the community;

i. That it honestly debates the issues affecting its community and speaks with one voice once a decision or policy is made.

4. Nepotism

Board members shall neither initiate, participate in, nor influence in any way institutional decisions, and will abstain from any votes of the board, involving a direct benefit (initial appointment, retention, promotion, non-systemic salary adjustment, leave of absence, etc.) to members of their extended families.

Extended family is defined as an individual who is the spouse, parent, sibling, child, grandparent, grandchild, in-law, aunt, uncle, cousin, niece, nephew or is otherwise a member of the board member’s household.

Further, board members:

a. Must not discuss with extended family members who are employed by the college, any college business (outside of official board functions intended for the entire Board) that might influence board decisions.  (This would include not discussing:  all executive session discussions, board policy, personnel  issues, or any other decision that might reasonably be seen as inappropriately influencing board or administrative decisions.)
b. Must not use the family member as a communication channel for college business to any other person(s).
c. Be cognizant of and try to avoid actions and communications that could be perceived as violating this section.

Violations of this section may be a violation of the Board Code of Conduct (Policy IV D 2).
 

5. College Employment

Board members shall not be employed by the college.
 

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Approved 7/16/2003;
Modified 11/17/2004;
Modified 10/17/2007;
Modified 3/23/2011;
Modified November 15, 2017;
Modified October 15, 2019;
Modified September 17, 2020;
Reviewed w/ no changes made October 15, 2025