Board Policy D-500.00
Institutional Effectiveness Criterion: Operations

Operations

NMC shall conduct College operations in a manner reflecting the highest standards of business and professional ethics, legal compliance, and accountability to the public trust. College leaders will guide the institution in establishing and accomplishing institutional directions and action plans, and in seeking opportunities to build and sustain an effective learning environment. NMC will promote goals and outcomes related culture by collecting and using data to responsibly manage its operations and to continuously improve.

In conjunction with the strategic plan, the President shall exercise and promote innovative and creative leadership in pursuit of operations at Northwestern Michigan College. In so doing the President is hereby granted full authority and autonomy by the Board of Trustees to utilize College resources to that end in any manner deemed appropriate, so long as the President exercises prudent judgment, ethical and lawful behavior, and reasonable interpretation of this policy.

1. Faculty and Staff Governance
   The President shall establish a clearly articulated system of College governance which recognizes the importance and value of the representative involvement of all members of the College community in College-wide decision-making, policy formulation and planning.
2. Human Resources--Non-unionized Employees
   1. Compensation: With respect to compensation and benefits to employees, the President:
      1. Shall establish salary and benefits plans which are competitive for the skills and services employed and allow the College to employ the best people available within its financial means.
      2. Shall establish personnel staff policies and procedures which clarify terms and conditions of employment.
   2. Employee Treatment: With respect to treatment of employees, the President:
      1. Shall provide for effective handling of grievances and complaints; provide a just, logical and humane process by which, after careful consideration, regular faculty or staff members may be dismissed for cause; acquaint faculty and staff with their rights.
      2. Shall articulate policy and procedures regarding retrenchment.
3. Human Resources--Unionized Employees
   1. Wages and working conditions are covered by the appropriate Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
4. Fiscal Management
   1. Budgeting: The budget for any fiscal year shall not deviate materially from Board ends priorities, risk fiscal jeopardy, or fail to demonstrate a generally acceptable level of foresight.
   2. Financial Condition: With respect to the actual, ongoing condition of the College's financial health, the President may not cause or allow fiscal jeopardy or a material deviation of actual expenditures from the Board-adopted budget.  The President shall provide the Board with a general operating account financial statement on a monthly basis.
   3. Asset Protection and Financial Management: The President shall ensure that the College's assets are appropriately obtained, adequately protected, and handled in a manner which meets the Board-approved auditor’s standards.  Accordingly, the President:
      1. Shall adequately insure against theft and casualty losses and against liability losses to Board members, staff, or the organization itself;
      2. Shall establish purchasing policies and procedures which give preference first to vendors from NMC's property tax district and, second, to vendors within NMC’s service area when the factors of price, quality, compatibility, quantity, established history of quality service, and timing are essentially equal.
5. Facilities Management
   The President shall ensure that the College's facilities are adequately maintained, maintained in a safe condition, effectively used, and operated in compliance with federal and state laws.
6. Administrative Practices
   The President shall ensure that College administrative practices are in compliance with the College's desire to conduct its business in a manner reflecting the highest standards of business and professional ethics, legal compliance, prudence, and accountability to the public trust.  Accordingly, the President shall develop College practices which:
   1. Strive to eliminate conflicts of interest.
   2. Provide for reimbursement of College-related travel which will meet the standards of the Board-authorized auditor.
   3. Result in continuous improvement of services and practices.
   4. Provide for efficient and effective use of College resources.
   5. Provide for effective use of technology in College operations.

If any provision(s) of this policy or set of bylaws conflicts with laws applicable to Northwestern Michigan College, including the Community College Act of 1966, the Freedom of Information Act, or the Open Meetings Act, as each may be amended from time to time, such laws shall control and supersede such provision(s).