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This website publishes administrative rules on their effective dates, as designated by the adopting state agencies, colleges, and universities.

Chapter 3354:1-11 | Cuyahoga Community College Policies

 
 
 
Rule
Rule 3354:1-11-01 | Planning and achievement.
 

(A) The college shall honor its mission, vision, and values, while setting and achieving its goals. Goals will be achieved by marshalling employees and resources as directed in a strategic plan, while operating in accordance with college policies and procedures.

(B) Policies, and the procedures that operationalize them, establish college-wide rules and processes that unite the college community in a daily effort to accomplish the college's mission, vision, values, and goals. Whereas the strategic plan mobilizes employees and resources through long-term, annual, and individual goals, college policies and procedures direct day-to-day decision making, set behavioral parameters, and establish specific goals.

(C) The college's five-year strategic plan shall facilitate achievement of the college's mission, vision, and values. Annual goals shall flow from the strategic plan. (While goals are adopted and achieved annually, the college's mission, vision, and values are expected to be more enduring.) The college shall pursue operational excellence as it achieves its annual goals.

(D) Operational excellence flows from the establishment and maintenance of a system of policies and procedures. Pursuant to board bylaws and Ohio statute, the board holds authority to operate the college, but delegates some of this authority to the president through policies. The college shall establish and maintain policies and procedures in order to support and catalyze operational efficiency and effectiveness.

(E) The college's mission is, "To provide high quality, accessible and affordable educational opportunities and services - including university transfer, technical and lifelong learning programs - that promote individual development and improve the overall quality of life in a multicultural community."

(F) The college's vision is, "Cuyahoga Community College will be recognized as an exemplary teaching and learning community that fosters service and student success. The College will be a valued resource and leader in academic quality, cultural enrichment and economic development characterized by continuous improvement, innovation, and community responsiveness."

(G) The college's values are, "To successfully fulfill the mission and vision, Cuyahoga Community College is consciously committed to diversity, integrity, academic excellence, and achievement of individual and institutional goals. We are dedicated to building trust, respect, and confidence among our colleagues, students, and community."

(H) Annually, the president shall communicate the following fiscal year's goals to the board.

(I) The president or the president's designee is hereby directed to take all steps necessary and appropriate for the implementation of this policy.

Last updated November 4, 2024 at 11:29 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3354.09
Amplifies: 3354.09
Rule 3354:1-11-02 | Rulemaking policy.
 

(A) Policies, procedures, departmental directives, and rules.

(1) Policies.

Board policies create a framework within which the president or other officer of the college is directed or authorized to take discretionary action in a specific area. Frequently, policies delegate elements of the board's authority to operate the college. They tell what is required or permitted. They may also indicate why and how much.

(2) Procedures.

College procedures are specific statements of process or means by which policies shall be fulfilled or implemented. Like policies, procedures generally have a broad impact. They may reach beyond any one college department to unify students, employees, multiple college departments, and other individuals or organizations in a common process.

(3) Departmental directives.

Departmental directives are typically minor internal forms, work instructions, guidelines, and other directives that do not have substantive impact beyond one college department. They are not official rules of the college, but rather serve as instructions important to the internal operations of a department.

(4) Rules.

Rules are duly-adopted college policies and procedures. Departmental directives are not rules of the college.

(B) Rulemaking.

Subject to the board's sole authority to adopt, modify, and rescind policies, the president or the president's designee(s) shall lead and coordinate policy and procedure development efforts collegewide. Policies and procedures shall be implemented as a foundation for collegewide operations, and shall be integrated into the college's planning, continuous improvement, and quality assurance efforts. Specifically, the president or the president's designee(s) shall:

(1) Prescribe one or more rulemaking procedures.

(2) Analyze existing federal, state, and local statutes, regulations, and case law for impact on policy and procedure; formulate recommendations; and communicate recommendations to the president and any impacted executive vice president.

(3) Monitor proposed federal, state and local laws and regulations, and developing case law; formulate recommendations; and communicate recommendations to the president and any impacted executive vice president.

(4) Once every five years, lead a comprehensive policy and procedure review project.

(5) Annually, lead a comprehensive policy and procedure review project for at least one chapter of the college's policies and procedures.

(6) Routinely develop recommendations to ensure that the board and the college are complying with Ohio legal requirements relating to policy and procedure development.

(7) Manage state filings in accordance with legal requirements, including section 111.15 of the Revised Code, to the extent applicable.

(8) Participate in the strategic planning, annual planning, and quality assurance planning processes in order to encourage continuous improvement of policies and procedures so that they better support efficient and effective operation of the college toward achievement of its goals.

(9) Periodically participate in training programs that educate college leadership about the legal and operational aspects of policies and procedures.

(10) Periodically audit college operations in order to identify opportunities for improvement in compliance with existing policies and procedures, and for improvement of the policies and procedures themselves.

(11) Communicate policies, procedures, and related matters to students, employees, and trustees in an appropriate manner.

(C) The president or the president's designee is hereby directed to take all steps necessary and appropriate for the implementation of this policy.

Last updated November 4, 2024 at 11:31 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3354.09
Amplifies: 3354.09
Rule 3354:1-11-02.1 | Rulemaking procedure.
 
This rule was filed with the Legislative Service Commission in PDF format and is presented here as filed.
View Rule Text

Last updated November 4, 2024 at 11:30 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3354.09
Amplifies: 3354:1-11-02
Rule 3354:1-11-03 | Commitment to a culture of communication and respect.
 

(A) The college acknowledges the critical role that open, frank, and orderly communication plays in the achievement of the college's mission, vision, values, and goals. Members of the college community should support and encourage such communications.

(B) Respect towards other individuals and sincere consideration of their ideas is a critical step towards continuous improvement. Employees and students shall act towards others with respect, reasonableness, restraint, order, mutual dignity, and shall sincerely consider others' ideas.

(C) Members of the college community shall be free to support their convictions by means that do not violate others' rights or freedoms and do not disrupt the regular operation of the college or other college activities.

(D) The college acknowledges the importance of an environment that is conducive to learning. The college encourages members of the college community to act in a manner respectful of teachers' and students' needs for an environment conducive to learning.

(E) For the purposes of this rule, a member of the college community is any student, customer, employee, trustee, vendor, visitor, guest or other individual at a college facility or activity.

(F) The president or the president's designee is hereby directed to take all steps necessary and appropriate for the effective implementation of this policy.

Last updated November 4, 2024 at 11:42 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3354.09
Amplifies: 3354.09
Rule 3354:1-11-04 | Conflict of interest policy.
 

(A) Duties of college officers and trustees.

Each college officer and trustee owes a duty of loyalty to the college, and must avoid conflicts of interest. Conflicts of interest arise in many forms and contexts, and adherence to this policy will not, in and of itself, relieve a college officer or trustee of liability under Ohio ethics laws or other laws governing trustee and officer behavior. It is each college officer's and trustee's individual duty to avoid conflicts of interest, and to disclose conflicts when they arise.

(B) Conflicts of interest.

Conflicts of interest commonly exist when a trustee or officer faces competing loyalties. A conflict of interest does exist when any actual or contemplated transaction or contractual relationship involves the college on one side, and any of the following on the other side:

(1) A college officer or trustee.

(2) A family member of a college officer or trustee.

(3) An organization affiliated with a college officer or trustee.

(C) Required actions.

(1) Upon first learning of a conflict of interest, the college trustee or officer shall fully disclose in writing to the full board and the college president the precise nature of the conflict, including without limitation all relationships and business affiliations that could reasonably be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest involving the college.

(2) College trustees and officers must also timely file any required financial disclosure forms as may be required by applicable law.

(3) Any board resolution involving a conflict of interest shall be treated separately by means of a roll call vote so the conflicted trustee can clearly abstain from voting.

(D) Prohibited actions.

(1) Trustees and officers who have a conflict of interest in any matter being considered by the board (including any committee of the board) must not:

(a) Participate in consideration of the matter, unless and to the extent the board or the college president requests input.

(b) Vote on or debate the matter.

(2) Trustees and officers who have a conflict of interest in any matter being considered by the college must not:

(a) Participate in consideration of the matter, unless and to the extent the college president requests input.

(b) Vote on, recommend, debate, or execute any contract directly relating to, the matter.

(E) Transactions.

A transaction is an event involving an exchange of something of value. Usually (but not always) transactions are memorialized in a purchase order or other written contract. Examples are extensive, and include without limitation real estate leases, procurements of goods, software licensing, and execution of professional services agreements.

(F) Affiliated organizations.

An organization is "affiliated" with a college officer or trustee if a trustee or officer, or a family member of a trustee or officer:

(1) Is an officer, director, trustee, partner, employee, or agent of an organization involved in, or being considered for, a business relationship with the college; or

(2) Is the actual or beneficial owner of more than five percent of the voting equity or controlling interest of such an organization; or

(3) Has any other direct or indirect dealings with such an organization giving rise to a financial interest or fiduciary duty.

(G) Family members.

A "family member" is a spouse, domestic partner, parent, grandparent, grandchild, child, step-child, adopted child, foster child, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, niece, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, half-brother, or half-sister.

(H) The president or the president's designee is hereby directed to take all steps necessary and appropriate for the effective implementation of this policy.

Last updated November 4, 2024 at 11:42 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3354.09
Amplifies: 3354.09
Rule 3354:1-11-05 | Naming opportunities policy.
 

(A) The college may convey naming rights for its facilities, programs, scholarship, and endowment funds in accordance with this policy and the college's naming opportunities procedure.

(B) Naming recognition for buildings may result from a substantial contribution.

(1) The college may grant naming rights for new and existing buildings.

(2) Naming recognition agreements for buildings shall be subject to approval by the chairperson of the college board, the president of the college, the chairperson of the foundation board and the vice president for resource development and foundation.

(3) Final naming decision for buildings must be approved by the college board.

(C) Naming recognition for facilities other than buildings, including but not limited to classrooms, theatres, etc., equipment, programs, scholarship funds, and endowments, shall remain under the authority of the college and foundation administration as described in the college's naming opportunities procedure.

(D) Nothing in this policy prohibits the college, based upon the recommendation of the president or chairperson of the college board, from naming any facility in honor of an individual who has made or will be making substantial non-economic contributions to the college.

(E) The college president or the president's designee is hereby authorized and directed to take all actions necessary and appropriate to implement this policy.

Last updated November 4, 2024 at 11:43 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3354.09
Amplifies: 3354.09
Prior Effective Dates: 12/15/2005
Rule 3354:1-11-05.1 | Naming opportunities procedure.
 
This rule was filed with the Legislative Service Commission in PDF format and is presented here as filed.
View Rule Text

Last updated November 5, 2024 at 2:17 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By:
Amplifies:
Rule 3354:1-11-06 | Public records policy.
 

(A) College compliance with Ohio's Public Records Act.

(1) As a political subdivision of Ohio, Cuyahoga community college district ("College") must comply with Ohio's Public Records Act. Under the Public Records Act, a requester may request to view public records at a college location during regular business hours, or may request to receive copies of public records.

(2) A public record is any document - in paper, electronic (including, but not limited to, e-mail, text messages, instant messages, and databases), or other format - that is created or received by, or that comes under the jurisdiction of the college, and that documents the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the college. Public records of the college are subject to disclosure, unless they are exempt from disclosure under state or federal law.

(3) The college shall adopt a procedure to implement this policy.

(B) Responsibility.

(1) The college shall have a records administrator. The records administrator shall ensure that college records are organized and maintained so that they are readily available for inspection and copying.

(2) The records administrator shall also ensure that records retention schedules are updated regularly and are readily available to the public.

(C) The president or the president's designee is hereby directed to take all steps necessary and appropriate for the effective implementation of this policy.

Last updated November 4, 2024 at 11:44 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3354.09
Amplifies: 3354.09
Prior Effective Dates: 12/17/2007
Rule 3354:1-11-06.1 | Public records procedure.
 
This rule was filed with the Legislative Service Commission in PDF format and is presented here as filed.
View Rule Text

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3354.09
Amplifies: 3354:1-11-06
Prior Effective Dates: 12/17/2007
Rule 3354:1-11-07 | Honorary Degree Nomination Policy.
 

(A) In recognition of Tri-C's commitment to equality, the board of trustees is committed to the award of honorary degrees to recipients who reflect the diversity of interests, backgrounds, and concerns reflected in the college community and the society and world served by the college.

(B) Suggested candidates to receive an honorary degree from Cuyahoga community college must have a strong current connection to the college either individually or through an organization and should reflect a combination of the following characteristics:

(1) Distinguished personalities who have a significant connection to Tri-C;

(2) Distinguished individuals who have a strong connection to Cleveland or NE Ohio;

(3) Individuals who have exceptional contributions to a specific field or to society in general;

(4) People who have made a significant contribution to higher education;

(5) People whose reputation locally, nationally, or internationally, has enhanced the reputation of Tri-C and serve as an example to its students;

(6) An emeritus faculty member;

(7) Distinguished alumni of Tri-C.

(C) The following individuals are generally excluded but may be considered at the discretion of the board when the individual in question meets the criteria in paragraphs (B)(1), (B)(2), (B)(3), and (B)(5) of this rule.

(1) Employees or degree-earning students of Tri-C;

(2) Current Board of Trustee members;

(3) Current political office holders.

Last updated November 4, 2024 at 11:49 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3354.09
Amplifies: 3354.09
Rule 3354:1-11-07.1 | Honorary Degree Nomination Procedure.
 
This rule was filed with the Legislative Service Commission in PDF format and is presented here as filed.
View Rule Text

Last updated November 4, 2024 at 11:49 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3354.09
Amplifies: 3354.09
Rule 3354:1-11-08 | Trustee emeritus nomination policy.
 

(A) Appointment

(1) The trustee emeritus designation is reserved for a retiring board of trustee member who has provided significant, substantive service to benefit cuyahoga community college students and enhance the educational, training and public service mission of the institution. The trustee has established throughout his or her tenure on the board, a record of unmatched commitment through documented acts and deeds to cuyahoga community college. Actively engaged through policy development and implementation, the trustee has enabled the college to accomplish its mission and strategic priorities through innovative programs and operations.

(2) It is expected, also, that the trustee has demonstrated a history of professional accomplishment, national and state board/college representation and community engagement that would warrant external recognition and that would bring honor and distinction to the individual and the college.

(3) The trustee emeritus designation is to be awarded at the conclusion of the final term of the board member at the last official meeting or immediately thereafter. The recipient will be deemed ineligible for re-appointment to the cuyahoga community college board of trustee by the appointing authorities in the future.

(B) Emeriti qualifications. Candidates for the trustee emeritus must demonstrate a history of distinguished and noteworthy commitment to the college and community in the following ways:

(1) Serve on the board a minimum of fifteen consecutive years or three terms.

(2) Attend, at a high ratio, board and committee meetings, retreats, state and national meetings, and other activities that foster board engagement, development and active participation.

(3) Known as an advocate for the college and its students at the local, state, and national levels through attendance and visible involvement in student-centered initiatives.

(4) Exhibit a dedication to students and the college by attending and engaging in college events, including but not limited to commencements, convocations, educational programs, student activities, college foundation benefits, re-accreditation visits, and institutional membership groups such as the league of innovation.

(5) Contribute monetarily in support of college initiatives and the college foundation.

(6) Exemplify public decorum and demeanor expected of a trustee and representative of the college.

(7) Achieve in professional, civic and community roles.

(C) Nomination. Eligibility for trustee emeriti is assessed by the executive committee of the board of trustees in consultation with the college president to ensure that candidates meet all the qualifications noted above. If it is determined that all criteria are met or exceeded, a resolution is prepared and presented for a vote by the cuyahoga community college board of trustees.

(D) Emeritus privileges. The following privileges will be afforded the trustee emeriti:

(1) Photograph with an entitled "trustee emeriti" plaque is displayed in the cuyahoga community college board room.

(2) The trustee emeritus name is included in publications along with the names of standing members of the board of trustees.

(3) Special guest at college and trustee events and activities, where appropriate.

(4) Invitation to participate in ad hoc groups or committees where expertise may be beneficial.

(5) Receive college publications to be kept abreast of college initiatives.

Last updated November 4, 2024 at 11:50 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3354.09
Amplifies: 3354.09
Rule 3354:1-11-09 | Policy on student success and completion.
 

(A) As the Cuyahoga community college board of trustees reaffirms our commitment to access and the still relevant "open door" mission of community colleges, we believe that it is our institutional imperative to significantly increase the rate of completion of students admitted to the college.

(B) The board of trustees of Cuyahoga community college will be actively engaged in this effort developing policy and directing resources necessary for supporting evidence-based institutional culture focused on student success and completion.

(C) Trustees must fully understand and embrace the complexities of the completion challenge, and understand that to succeed in this we will require real change. To this end, the trustees instruct the president to develop for their approval a comprehensive plan with specific goals, benchmarks, strategies and timelines.

(D) The plan will require bold, innovative and aggressive action by the trustees, the president, faculty and staff and will include the support and participation of every department and division of the college.

(E) Success and completion will be the highest priority of the board and each of its committees.

Last updated November 4, 2024 at 11:50 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3354.09
Amplifies: 3354.09