Section III: Comprehensive Standards

3.2.12. The institution’s chief executive officer has ultimate control of the institution’s fund-raising activities.

JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE

Compliance.

NARRATIVE/JUSTIFICATION FOR JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE

Northeast Alabama Community College demonstrates compliance. The position description of the president specifies financial affairs as one of the operations of the college for which the president is responsible and answerable to both the chancellor and the State Board of Education. The line of authority is made clear through State Board of Education policies which grant authority and responsibility for all of the colleges within the Alabama College System to the chancellor and for the day-to-day operation of each college to the respective president (Policies 102.02 and 203.02).

The Fund-raising Policy for Northeast Alabama Community College specifies that fund-raising activities must pertain to the fulfillment of the institutional mission. NACC fund-raising activities include two basic practices: (1) the solicitation of funds for program-related and student activities; and (2) receiving the donation of monetary gifts and equipment. According to the policy, all fund-raising activities, including contributions, must be approved by the president. The policy further states that contributions must be included in the college’s financial records and that they are subject to the state auditing process.

The Request for Fund-raising Activity (form) must be submitted to the president for approval. This form requires a description of the activity and an explanation of how the activity will help to fulfill the mission of the college.

Institutional fund-raising may include foundations, grants, gifts, program-specific activities, and student organization activities:

Foundations.  Alabama State Board Policy 213.01 permits the establishment of college-related foundations. All foundations must be incorporated in accordance with the laws of the State of Alabama as nonprofit organizations. The sole purpose of the foundation is to support the educational goals and provide enrichment resources for the college. NACC is currently in the process of organizing a foundation with the purpose of providing federal, state, and private funding for educational purposes and physical improvements to the campus. Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws for the Northeast Alabama Community College Foundation are complete and the college is currently awaiting the assignment of a federal tax identification number. The Board of Directors of the foundation is composed of Dr. David Campbell, college president; David Dodd, college attorney; and Jimmy D. Blevins, president of North Jackson Bank and adjunct instructor of business.

Grants.  Faculty and staff of NACC are encouraged to develop grant proposals for specific projects in their respective disciplines. The grant-seeking policy in the NACC Faculty & Staff Handbook emphasizes that all grants should support the institution’s mission. Proposals for grants should be submitted through the proper channels as indicated by the organizational chart.  A recently hired administrative assistant has as part of her responsibilities assistance with grant writing and other fund-raising activities. In addition, the college recently contracted with Regional Development Inc. to pursue federal and state grants. The president makes the final determination regarding all grant proposals.

Gifts. Occasionally monetary contributions or equipment donations are made on an unsolicited basis. The NACC fund-raising policy requires that contributions be approved by the president, included in the college’s financial records, and be subject to the state auditing process.  All gifts and contributions are receipted as donations by the business office in the revenue accounts along with the proper coding to reflect the recipient. These accounts are maintained in the business office under the supervision of the Dean of Administrative Services, who reports directly to the president. 

Program-Specific Fund-raising. The NACC Music (Music Mutual Fund Donation) and Theatre Departments (Theatre Guild) have fund-raising activities that benefit and enhance those specific programs. The president was directly involved in the organization and establishment of these fund-raising activities. The institution maintains restricted accounts for the Theatre Guild and the Music Department with the same accounting restraints that are applicable to all other funds.

Fund-raising by Student Organizations.  Student organizations desiring to engage in fund-raising activities must submit a request form to the president for approval. 

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