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

Judgment of Compliance: The College certifies COMPLIANCE.

Narrative:

The conflict of interest policy for the Board is found in the Policies Manual of the Board of Trustees of WCC (See sections 01-10). The policy states that the Board and employees must adhere to North Carolina General Statutes 115D-26, which states that "All local trustees and employees of community colleges covered under this chapter must adhere to the conflict of interest provisions found in NCGS 14-234."

NCGS 14-234 delineates the specific legal guidelines for potential conflict of interest for public officers (trustees). The section states that:

• "No public officer or employee who is involved in making or administering a contract on behalf of a public agency may derive a direct benefit from the contract except as provided in the section, or as otherwise allowed by law.
• A public officer or employee who will derive a direct benefit from a contract with the public agency he or she serves, but who is not involved in making or administering the contract, shall not attempt to influence any other person who is involved in making or administering the contract.
• No public officer or employee may solicit or receive any gift, reward, or promise of reward in exchange for recommending, influencing, or attempting to influence the award of a contract by the public agency he or she serves."

In addition, each newly elected or reappointed trustee is required by law (NCGS 115D-19(b)) to attend a training session sponsored by the North Carolina Association of Community College Trustees where potential for conflict of interest is thoroughly explained. Each trustee is given a copy of a manual for trustees, which includes the code of ethics. Each college board meeting is opened by the chair asking each board member to declare a potential conflict of interest on matters coming before the Board. Also, the college attorney attends meetings to ensure that the Board abides by the conflict of interest provision of the General Statutes. There has not been any concern lodged relating to a conflict of interest on the part of any trustee.