Comprehensive Standard 3.2.4: Undue Influence
The governing board is free from undue influence from political, religious, or other external bodies, and protects the institution from such influence.
Judgment of Compliance: The College certifies COMPLIANCE.
Narrative:
The Board is not subject to the undue influence of political, religious, or other external bodies.
Twelve members of the Board of Trustees of Wayne Community College are appointed by three separate entities and also include one ex-officio, non-voting member, the president of the Student Government Association. The Board is responsible for the government and operation of the college (North Carolina General Statutes 115D-20(7)). The Board's by-laws state, consistent with accreditation criteria of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, that the Board must not be subject to undue pressure from political, religious or other external bodies. Furthermore, the Board should protect the administration from similar pressures (By-Laws of the Board of Trustees, Article 1, Section 1(e)).
The Board is appointed as follows:
- Four members by the Wayne County Board of Education
- Four members by the Governor of North Carolina
- Four members by the Wayne County Board of Commissioners
- President of the WCC Student Government Association
(List of Board of Trustees members, 2003-04, 2004-05)
Over time, such a well-defined structure clearly ensures political balance, religious diversity, and a wide range of professional, age, sex, and racial representation on the Board.
As demonstrated by the board's minutes, no accusations of undue influence from political, religious, or other external bodies have been made against the board or its members.
