201 - Statement of Policy
It is the policy of the Board of Trustees to recognize and maintain the distinction between those activities which are appropriate to the Board of Trustees as the legislative, governing body of Indian Hills Community College, Merged Area XV, and those administrative activities which are to be performed by the President of the College and their staff in the exercise of delegated administrative authority.
Date of Adoption: 09/06/66
Reviewed: 8/04/25
Revised: 07/02/15
Legal Reference:
Code of Iowa Chapter 260C
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
202 - Name and Legal Status of Unit
Legal Name: Merged Area (Education) XV
Common Name: Indian Hills Community College
The Area Education Unit is organized and known as: Merged Area (Education) XV, Indian Hills Community College, Area XV, is the name adopted for general use.
Legal Status
The Board of Trustees of Indian Hills Community College, Merged Area XV, derives its legal status from the Constitution of the State of Iowa and the statutes enacted by the General Assembly. The Board of Trustees acts as an agent of the state in putting an educational program into operation in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the State of Iowa.
Date of Adoption: 09/06/66
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised: 06/04/74
Legal Reference:
Iowa Constitution - Article IX
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
203 - Board of Trustees
Board Members
The Board of Trustees is composed of nine (9) members, one from each Director District. Each member is elected from a Director District by the electors of that Director District and shall be a resident of the district from which elected. No member shall serve on the Board of Trustees who is a member of a Board of Directors of a local school district or of an Area Education Agency.
Terms of Office
Each member of the Board of Trustees is elected for a term of four (4) years (House File 2620), or to complete the unexpired term of a regularly elected member. Terms shall expire on the first (1st) Monday in December, and member shall qualify by subscribing to the oath of office prescribed in Section 277.28 of the Code of Iowa.
Filling Vacancies of Members and Officers
Vacancies on the board which occur more than ninety (90) days prior to the next annual school election shall be filled at the next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees. A member so chosen must be a resident of the Director District in which the vacancy occurred. Members so chosen shall serve until the next regular school election, at which election a member shall be elected to fill the vacancy for the balance of the unexpired term. A vacancy shall be defined as in Section
277.29 of the Iowa Code. NOTE: CHANGE OF RESIDENCE FROM ONE DIRECTOR DISTRICT TO ANOTHER CONSTITUTES A VACANCY.
Vacancies occurring among Board-elected or Board-appointed officers shall be defined and filled as specified in the Code of Iowa. Those so elected or appointed by the Board shall serve for the balance of the unexpired term.
Regular and Special Elections
Regular elections to elect members of the Board of Trustees shall be held in conformity with existing Iowa laws.
Special elections may be called by the Board of Trustees with reference to those matters stipulated in Iowa Code § 277.2 which are applicable to Merged Area Districts, and in Iowa Code §§ 260C.22, 260C.39.
Date of Adoption: 09/06/66
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised: 06/09/08
Legal References:
Code of Iowa §§ 260C.11-15, 260C.22
Code of Iowa §§ 260C.39, 277.2
Code of Iowa § 277.28-29, H.F. 2620
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
205 - Committees
The Indian Hills Community College Board of Trustees maintains three standard committees made up of its members:
- a committee to review the staff handbook and human resources policies
- a committee to perform due diligence on companies entering 260E agreements with the college
- a committee to review established board policies
Whenever it seems advisable, an ad hoc committee shall be appointed by the President of the College or by the board to investigate a specific situation or problem. Committees do not take action but rather make their reports to the Board of Trustees to be acted upon by the Board in session. Reports from such committees shall be presented to the President of the College who shall place them on the agenda and forward them to the Board.
A committee shall serve a specific function and shall be considered dissolved when its report is made to the Board of Trustees.
It is the policy of this board to utilize committees primarily for purposes of legislative policy making.
Date of Adoption: 09/06/66
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised: 10/06/16
Legal Reference:
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
206 - Membership in State and National Associations
The Board of Trustees shall maintain active membership in the state and national associations appropriate to the purposes of Indian Hills Community College, Merged Area XV.
Date of Adoption: 09/06/66
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised: 10/06/15
Legal Reference:
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
208 - Formulation and Review of Policies
The primary responsibility for proposing Board policies rests with the President of the College; however, policies may be proposed by any member of the Board, by a personnel member with the approval of the President of the College, or by any citizen or group of citizens in Merged Area XV.
Policy proposals shall be submitted to the Board, through the President of the College, prior to a regularly scheduled meeting. Final action on new policies or amended policies shall be taken no earlier than the next meeting following the one at which the proposal is made.
The President of the College shall annually review the policies and make suggestions in writing for new policies or such other times the President of the College deems necessary.
Policies and rules must be consistent with law and administrative rules, regulations, and policies of the state board, for its own government and that of the administrative, teaching, and other personnel, and the students of the college, and aid in the enforcement of such laws, rules, and regulations.
Date of Adoption: 09/06/66
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised: 10/12/09
Legal Reference:
Code of Iowa § 260C.14(5)
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
209 - Records Closed Session
The detailed minutes and recordings of closed sessions must be kept for one year and then, by authorization of the board, the detailed minutes may be destroyed and recordings be erased.
Date of Adoption: 07/10/84
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised: 11/06/16
Legal Reference:
Code of Iowa § 260C.14(5)
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
210 - Levy Approval
Administration of Indian Hills Community College will seek board approval for any tax levy authority requiring voter approval.
Date of Adoption: 09/06/66
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised: 10/06/16
Legal Reference:
Code of Iowa § 260C.22
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
221 - Code of Ethics
Indian Hills Community College Board of Trustees has adopted the following Code of Ethics
- A CREED FOR BOARD MEMBERS
I will listen.
I will recognize the integrity of my predecessors and associates and the merits of their work.
I will be motivated only by a desire to serve the students and the citizens of Area XV. I will recognize that it is my responsibility, together with that of my fellow Board Members, to see that Indian Hills Community College, Merged Area XV, is properly run—not to run it myself.
I will work through the administrative employees of the Board and not over or around them.
I will recognize that Board business may be legally transacted only in open meetings legally called.
I will inform myself on the proper duties and functions of a Board Member.
- IN PERFORMING THE FUNCTIONS OF A BOARD MEMBER
I will deal in terms of general educational policies.
I will function in meeting the legal responsibility that is mine, as a part of a legislative, policy-forming body.
I will consider myself a trustee of public education and will attempt to protect and conserve it.
- IN MAINTAINING DESIRABLE RELATIONS WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
I will respect the opinions of others.
I will recognize that authority rests with the Board in legal session–not in individual members of the Board.
I will make no disparaging remarks in or out of meetings about other members of the Board or their opinions.
I will recognize that to promise in advance of a meeting how I will vote on any proposition which is to be considered is to close my mind and agree not to think through other facts and points of view which may be presented in the meeting.
I will make decisions in Board meetings only after all sides of the question have been presented.
I will insist that committees be appointed to serve only in an investigating and advisory capacity.
I will consider unethical and will not participate in any secret session of the Board.
- IN MEETING MY RESPONSIBILITY TO THE AREA
I will attempt to appraise fairly both the present and the future educational needs of Area XV.
I will be aware that student needs are not confined to the development of vocational skills and I will support programs with broad educational goals in addition to specialized courses.
In considering the needs of the students of Area XV, I will not be provincial in my thinking, but will realize that their opportunities will transcend the borders of Area XV and I will support program offerings accordingly.
I will attempt to procure adequate financial support for educational facilities and programs.
I will interpret to the President of the College as best I can the needs and attitudes of Area XV.
I will consider it an important responsibility of the Board to interpret the aims and methods of Indian Hills Community college, Merged Area XV, and the materials used in them to the people of Area XV.
I will insist that business transactions of the organization be on an ethical, open and above-board basis.
- IN WORKING WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE COLLEGE AND THE PRESIDENT’S STAFF
I will hold the President of the College responsible for the administration of the college in accordance with the policies established by the Board.
I will give the President of the College authority commensurate with presidential responsibility.
I will expect the college to be administered by the best trained technical and professional personnel it is possible to procure.
I will appoint employees only after receiving the recommendation of the President of the College.
I will participate in Board legislation only after seeking the recommendation of the President of the College and only after the president has furnished complete information supporting the recommendation.
I will expect the President of the College to keep the Board of Trustees adequately informed at all times through both oral and written reports.
I will expect to spend more time in Board meetings on educational problems and procedures than on business detail.
I will give the President of the College friendly counsel and advice.
I will refer all complaints to the proper administrative officer or insist that they be presented in writing to the Board as a whole through the President of the College.
I will present any personal criticisms of employees to the President of the College.
Date of Adoption: 09/06/66
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised: 10/12/09
Legal Reference:
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
222 - Attendance at Professional Meetings
It is the policy of the Board of Trustees that attendance at Professional meetings on the part of Board Members is the responsibility of each member. The policy function of the Board can best be carried out by a well-informed membership.
Date of Adoption: 09/06/66
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised:
Legal Reference:
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
223 - Compensation for Expenses
Members of the Board of Trustees shall serve without pay. They shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as Members of the Board.
Date of Adoption: 09/06/66
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised:
Legal Reference:
Code of Iowa § 260C.12
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
224 - Conflict of Interest
No member of the Board shall knowingly be interested, directly or indirectly, in any contract, written or unwritten, for services to be performed and/or material to be furnished for Indian Hills Community College, Merged Area XV, as provided by the conflict of interest statute of the Code of Iowa.
A member of the board of trustees of a college corporation shall not have an interest, direct or indirect, in a contract for the purchase of goods, including materials and profits, and the performance of services for the trustees college corporation. A contract entered into in violation of this section is void. This section does not apply to: contracts for the purchase of goods or services which benefit a director, if the benefit to the director does not exceed two thousand five hundred dollars in a fiscal year; and contracts made by a school board upon competitive bid in writing, publicly invited and opened.
Date of Adoption: 09/06/66
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised: 10/06/16
Legal Reference:
Code of Iowa § 260C.22
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
230 - President and Vice President
The President of the Board of Trustees shall preside at all of its meetings, sign warrants and drafts, and all orders drawn upon the Treasurer as provided by law, sign all contracts made by the Board, and appear in behalf of their corporation in all actions brought by or against it, unless individually a party, in which case this duty shall be performed by the Secretary.
The Vice President or designee shall serve as acting president during the absence of the President.
Date of Adoption: 09/06/66
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised: 11/09/15
Legal Reference:
Code of Iowa § 291.1
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
231 - Secretary – Duties
The Secretary of the Indian Hills Community College Board of Trustees will perform the following duties:
- File and preserve copies of all reports made to the State Department of Education and all papers transmitted to the Secretary pertaining to the business of the corporation.
- Keep a complete record of all proceedings of the meetings of the Board.
- Be responsible for providing election information to the county commissioner of elections. (Wapello County Commissioner of Elections) as required under Iowa Code § 260C.15, Conduct of Election.)
- Report to the State Department of Education, county auditors and the county treasurers, the name of the President, the Secretary, and the Treasurer of the Board as soon as practicable after each officer has qualified.
- Call to the attention the Board legal requirements in those matters for which the Secretary is responsible.
- Provide, receive and file nomination papers in behalf of a candidate of District Director Board of Trustees, Merged Area XV.
- Handle legal advertisements.
- Maintain confidentiality in all college and board business dealings
- Perform such other duties from time to time as may be required by the Board of Trustees, President of the College, or by law.
Date of Adoption: 09/06/66
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised: 11/09/15
Legal References:
Code of Iowa §§ 260C.12, 277.4
Code of Iowa Chapter 291
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
232 - Treasurer – Duties
The Treasurer of the Indian Hills Community College Board of Trustees will perform the following duties:
- Receive all monies belonging or payable to Indian Hills Community College, Merged Area XV.
- Disburse monies owed or payable by IHCC on checks signed by the Board President and countersigned by the Treasurer of the Board.
- Keep an accurate record of all receipts and expenditures of funds.
- Register all orders drawn showing the number, date, to whom drawn, fund upon which drawn, the purpose and amount.
- Keep an accurate separate account of all funds.
- Render a financial statement whenever required by the Board and keep books open for inspection at all times.
- Make an annual financial report to the Board as appropriate and file a copy with the State Department of Education as required.
- During the second week of August of each year, publish a summarized statement of receipts and disbursements of all funds of the college for the preceding fiscal year.
- Deposit funds in the banks designated annually by the Board as the official depositories of the College.
- Keep a record of bond buyers and a record to whom interest-bearing bonds are sold.
- Receive apportionment of funds and payment of taxes from the county treasurers.
Date of Adoption: 09/06/66
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised: 11/09/15
Legal References:
Code of Iowa § 260C.14(12)
Code of Iowa Chapter 291
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
240 - Regular Meetings
Regular meetings of the Board shall be held on the second Monday of each month.
All meetings shall be held in the meeting place officially designated by the Board which shall be the Indian Hills Community College Board Room, Ottumwa Campus, Ottumwa, Iowa, unless otherwise approved by the Board in regular session. Regular meetings shall commence at 4:00 p.m.
Date of Adoption: 09/06/66
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised: 03/10/97
Legal Reference:
Code of Iowa §§ 260C.12, 279.2
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
241 - Special Meetings
Special meetings may be held as determined by the Board, or called by the President, or by the Secretary upon the written request of a majority of the members of the Board. Unless otherwise provided by law, notice of special meetings shall be given in writing by the Secretary at least forty-eight hours in advance of such meetings. The agenda for all special meetings shall be limited to those items or item for which the special meeting is called.
Special meetings shall be held in the location officially designated for regular meetings unless otherwise determined by the Board in a previous legal session.
Date of Adoption: 09/06/66
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised:
Legal Reference:
Code of Iowa §§ 260C.12, 279.2
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
242 - Executive Sessions
Meetings of the Board shall be open to the public.
Executive sessions may be called as provided by the Code of Iowa.
Date of Adoption: 09/06/66
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised: 10/12/09
Legal Reference:
Code of Iowa § 21.5
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
244 - Organization Meeting
At the Organization Meeting of the Board held the second (2nd) Monday in December every year, the Board shall be called to order by the immediate Past-President. In the event that person is no longer a member of the Board, the Secretary shall act as temporary chairman.
The first order of business shall be to swear into office any new members unless they shall have been so sworn previously. The Board shall then elect from its membership a President and a Vice President. The Board shall appoint a Secretary and Treasurer.
The Board President, Board Vice President, and appointed positions will hold office for a one-year term.
Date of Adoption: 09/06/66
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised: 12/09/19
Legal Reference:
Code of Iowa §§ 260C.12, 279.1
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
245 - Notice of Meetings
Notice of all meetings shall be given in compliance with Iowa Code § 21.3-4.
Emergency meetings may be called by attempting notification of all board members, notifying local news media, having a quorum present, announcing the cause of the emergency at the beginning of the meeting, and so recorded in the minutes.
Date of Adoption: 09/06/66
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised: 10/12/09
Legal Reference:
Code of Iowa § 21.3-4
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
246 - Quorum – Rules of Order
A majority of members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Parliamentary procedures not provided for in these policies or by statute shall be determined by Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised.
Date of Adoption: 09/06/66
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised:
Legal Reference:
Code of Iowa § 279.4
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
247 - Determination of Agenda
The President of the College shall submit to the Board of Trustees for its consideration, at least two days before a regular meeting, an agenda which shall set forth the order of business for that meeting.
The agenda shall contain supporting data for the suggested items of business together with recommendations of the President of the College, or recommendations from staff members designated by the College President.
A Board member may request any item to be placed on the agenda by notifying the Board Secretary.
Date of Adoption: 09/06/66
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised: 10/12/09
Legal Reference:
Code of Iowa § 21.4(1)
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
248 - Order of Business – Regular Meetings
The following shall be the order of business for regular meetings of the Board of Trustees:
- Call Meeting to Order
- Approval of Agenda
- Approval of Minutes of Previous Meetings
- Unfinished Business
- Financial Reports
- Report of President of the Trustees
- Human Resources Reports
- New Business
- Report of College President
- Adjournment
Date of Adoption: 09/06/66
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised: 01/14/19
Legal Reference:
Code of Iowa § 21.4(1)
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
249 - Minutes
Records of all transactions of the Board shall be set forth in full in the official minutes of the Board. The minutes shall be kept on file as the permanent official records of legislation of the corporation. The Secretary shall act as custodian of the minutes. A copy of the previous Board minutes is sent to each board member in advance of each regular board meeting and is posted to the college Website upon board approval.
Date of Adoption: 09/06/66
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised: 10/12/29
Legal Reference:
Code of Iowa § 21.3
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
252 - Authorization for Board Secretary and Board Treasurer to Duly Sign in Official Capacity of the College in Matters Requiring Either Signature
The Board of Trustees authorizes the Board Secretary and Board Treasurer to duly sign in the official capacity of the College in those matters which require either the signature of the Board Secretary or the Board Treasurer.
Date of Adoption: 09/06/66
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised:
Legal Reference:
Code of Iowa § 291.1
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
253 - Temporary Officers
The Board shall appoint a temporary President or Secretary, in the absence of the regular officers.
Date of Adoption: UK
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised: 10/12/09
Legal Reference:
Code of Iowa §279.5
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
254 - Establishment of Memorials
The Board, from time to time, may establish a memorial, such as funds, naming of buildings, etc., at the approval of the Board.
Date of Adoption: 07/09/73
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised: 10/12/09
Legal Reference:
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
255 - IHCC Foundation
The Board shall have the authority to establish foundations and continue the current foundations, i.e. the IHCC Foundation and the IHCC Development Corporation.
Date of Adoption: 04/16/74
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised: 10/12/09
Legal Reference:
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
256 - Weapons Policy
Statement of Policy
Indian Hills Community College is committed to the safety and welfare of all members of its community. To that end, the College prohibits the possession or use of a firearm or other weapon, concealed or otherwise, on any College property or at any College sponsored event or activity.
Definitions
Weapons include, but are not limited to, any offensive weapon; a firearm of any kind such as a pistol, revolver, or other gun; BB or pellet guns; knives such as daggers, razors, stilettos, switchblade knives or knives with a blade exceeding five inches in length; bows and arrows or crossbows; portable devices directing an electric current designed to immobilize a person through a projectile; explosives or incendiaries such as bombs, grenades, or fireworks; or simulations of any such items (devices that appear to be real such as a realistic toy, replica, paint-ball gun, etc.).
Possession means that the person has actual physical control of the weapon because it is on or in the person’s body, or in an item of personal property belonging to the person (including, but not limited to, a backpack, briefcase, or handbag), or in a locker or other space individually assigned to the person. “Possession” also means that the person knows, or should know, of the presence of a weapon within a vehicle which the person owns or operates, and that the person has the ability or right, either alone or with any other person, to maintain control of the weapon.
Prohibited Conduct
Students, faculty, staff, and visitors are prohibited from the possession, display, and/or use of a weapon while on College property or at any College-sponsored event or activity. This prohibition includes weapons which may be carried pursuant to a valid permit issued in accordance with Iowa law (i.e., “concealed carry”).
This policy applies to all College campuses, attendance centers, dining facilities, and office buildings, whether owned, leased, or rented by the College, and anywhere that the College provides a service, including all housing owned by the College or that lies within the boundaries of a College campus. This includes personal vehicles located on College property, College vehicles, and College streets and walkways.
Any individual who violates this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal or expulsion.
Exceptions/Authorizations
This policy does not apply to:
- peace/law enforcement officers who are required to carry weapons;
- other persons specifically authorized in advance by the College President, in writing, to possess, display, and/or use a weapon on College property for a limited purpose consistent with the College’s mission; and
- the possession and use of knives for the purposes of cooking in College-provided or sponsored housing or in the College’s culinary arts program.
For purposes of this Policy, exception 2) above shall be deemed to include campus security (i.e., armed security staff); firearms used and stored in the College’s criminal justice program; and the College’s sponsored competitive sports shooting program.
Date of Adoption: 02/11/19
Reviewed: 08/04/25
Revised: 07/08/19
Legal Reference:
Related Administrative Rules and Regulations
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