Section III: Comprehensive Standards

3.2.3. The board has a policy addressing conflict of interest for its members.

JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE

Compliance.

NARRATIVE/JUSTIFICATION FOR JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE

Northeast Alabama Community College demonstrates compliance. Section 16-3-3 of the Code of Alabama, specific to the State Board of Education, includes the following statement:

No person who is an employee of the board or who is or has been engaged as a professional educator within five years next preceding the date of the election shall be eligible for membership on the board. For the purposes of this section the term  "professional educator" shall include teacher, supervisor or principal of any public or private school; instructor, professor or president of any public or private university, college or junior college or trade school; any state, county or city superintendent of education; or other person engaged in an administrative capacity in the field of education.

State Board of Education Policy 615.01, addresses conflict of interest for employees of the board. The college policy is identical to that of the State Board and is published as follows in the Faculty and Staff Handbook, available both in print and online:

Honesty and professional integrity are expected of all employees. It would be a serious violation of this trust if the interests of any institution under the direction and control of the State Board of Education were to be disregarded in the course of performing professional duties. The use of official position and influence to further personal gain or that of families or associates is unacceptable behavior.

All college employees have the right to acquire and retain status of a professional, personal, or economic nature. In a community as diverse and complex as the institutions that comprise the Alabama College System, there is always the possibility that the pursuit of individual interest may result in a conflict with those of the employing institution. This places an important responsibility on faculty and staff to recognize potential conflicts and prevent them. All persons, particularly those with significant exposure to potential conflict of interest situations, should develop a sensitivity to this issue and seek guidance when appropriate.

The guidelines to Board Policy 615.01 address issues pertaining to the engagement of full-time employees in independent research and/or consulting activities.

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