New community college trustees usually begin their tenures by asking what their specific roles and responsibilities are.
All trustees should ask this question periodically to ensure that they are upholding those commitments.
All trustees also should be aware of the limitations of their roles and responsibilities to ensure they are filling their niche at the college and not growing into niches carved out for others.
Following is a list of board member roles and responsibilities written by Cindra Smith and David Rutledge from the second chapter of Trusteeship in Community College: A Guide for Effective Governance, which can be purchased via the ACCT Book Store.
Roles and Responsibilities
Act as a unit. The strength of a board is that it is composed of multiple people who bring different insights and opinions, and who factor those insights into their decisions. At the same time, while being made up of individuals, a board is designed to function as a single unit. A particular challenge of serving on a board is that all board members are required to support the decision made by the full board even when an individual board member may not personally agree with that opinion. This is the only way by which the board can effectively lead the college and support, direct, and hold the college CEO accountable.
Represent the common good. Board members are elected or appointed to represent the interests of their communities. For this reason, every member of every board should be involved with their community so that they can understand their needs, interests, and values, and represent them during board operations.
Set the college's strategic direction. The board is charged with setting the direction of the college because the board represents the common good. While the college CEO is a vital partner in this process as the visionary individual who works full-time with all levels of college operations, the board must bring additional insights, ask thoughtful questions, guide, and ultimately support the CEO in realizing the vision and goals set collaboratively by the board and the CEO.
Employ, evaluate, and support the CEO. The college CEO, whether referred to as president, president/CEO or chancellor, has a tremendous level of responsibility and authority. One of the greatest responsibilities of the college board is to identify the best person to lead their respective college. The executive-search process must be taken seriously and regarded as a primary responsibility of the board. Once the college CEO is employed, it is the board's responsibility to support that CEO so that they are empowered to successfully carry out the mission, vision, values, and goals set by the college board. Doing this requires transparency, open communication, specific goal setting, guidance without interference, evaluation, and appropriate compensation.
Define standards for college operations. Successful boards establish policies that set standards for quality, ethics, and prudence in college operations, including educational programs, personnel, and fiscal operations.
Monitor institutional performance.
Support and be advocates for the college.
Lead as a thoughtful, educated team.
Uphold all statutory responsibilities.
More in-depth resources, including educational videos, articles, worksheets and more are available to members in our governance resource library at ACCT Connect.