Governing Style
Board Policy 102
The Board will govern Kalamazoo Valley Community College with an emphasis on outward vision rather than an internal preoccupation, encouragement of diversity in viewpoints, strategic leadership rather than individual decisions, clear distinction of board and presidential roles, consensus rather than individual decisions, and proactively rather than reactivity. More specifically, the Board will:
- Operate in all ways mindful of its trusteeship obligation to the public. It will allow no officer, individual, trustee or committee of the Board to prevent its fulfilling this commitment.
- Enforce upon itself whatever discipline is needed to govern with excellence. Self-discipline will apply to matters such as attendance, policy-making principles, respect of roles, speaking with one voice, and ensuring continuity of governance capability. Continual Board development will include orientation of new members on the Board's governing process and periodic discussion of Board improvement.
- Direct, control, and inspire the Institution through the careful establishment of broad organizational policies reflecting the Board's values and perspectives. The Board's major focus will be on the intended long-term impacts and not on the administrative or programmatic means of attaining those effects.
- Cultivate a sense of group responsibility. The Board, not the staff, will be responsible for excellence in governing.
- Monitor and discuss the Board's process and performance at each meeting. Self-monitoring will include a comparison of Board activity and adherence to policies in the Governance Process and Board-Staff Relationship categories.