Administrative Regulation Title: Ethics
Regulation Number: 1.3.1

This Administrative Regulation establishes binding ethical standards and governance practices for members of the Eastern Wyoming College (EWC) Board of Trustees. Trustees hold a position of public trust and must discharge their duties with integrity, accountability, and an uncompromising commitment to the educational mission of the college.

The Board functions as a body corporate; authority resides solely in the full Board acting in official session.

1. Policy vs. Administration: The Board establishes vision, sets policy, and oversees institutional sustainability. Trustees shall refrain from direct involvement in day-to-day administrative or operational decisions, which are delegated exclusively to the College President.
2. Collective Voice: Trustees shall deliberate with candor during meetings but must uphold and respect decisions made by a majority vote of the Board once a decision is finalized.
3. Institutional Advocacy: Trustees represent the entire College district and shall make decisions based on the long-term educational interest of students and the broader community.

Each Trustee agrees to adhere to the following operational standards:

• Fiduciary Responsibility: Exercise prudent stewardship over public funds, district assets, and operational budgets.
• Confidentiality: Protect all sensitive, legal, personnel, or proprietary information obtained through official duties, including all matters discussed during lawful Executive Sessions.
• Meeting Preparedness: Consistently attend scheduled meetings, complete pre-meeting document reviews, and participate constructively in open public deliberations.

Communication Protocol: Recognize the Board Chair as the official spokesperson for the Board. Individual Trustees expressing opinions publicly must explicitly clarify that they speak as individual citizens, not on behalf of the Board or College.

In strict compliance with the Wyoming Ethics and Disclosure Act:

1. Private Gain: Trustees shall not use their official status, College property, or institutional resources for personal financial gain or to confer unlawful advantages on business partners, clients, or family members.
2. Duty to Disclose: A Trustee with an actual, potential, or perceived financial or personal conflict of interest regarding an agenda item must disclose the nature of the interest on the official record prior to discussion.
3. Recusal: Following disclosure, the Trustee must recuse themselves from participation in the deliberation and shall not vote on the matter.
4. Nepotism: Trustees shall not attempt to influence decisions regarding the recruitment, hiring, evaluation, salary setting, or promotion of immediate family members employed by or seeking employment with EWC.
5. Gifts: Trustees shall not solicit or accept gifts, gratuities, favors, or honoraria exceeding statutory thresholds from entities doing business with or seeking business from the College.
6. Annual Disclosure: Each Trustee shall sign an annual Conflict of Interest & Ethics Acknowledgment Form upon taking office and at the first regular meeting of each fiscal year.
7. Filing a Complaint: Allegations of ethical non-compliance or undisclosed conflicts of interest must be submitted in writing to the Board Chair (or the Vice Chair if the allegation involves the Chair).
8. Inquiry Committee: The Board Chair shall appoint an ad-hoc review committee consisting of two disinterested Trustees and Legal Counsel to investigate the allegation and provide findings within 30 days.
9. Sanctions: If a violation is substantiated, the Board may impose administrative remedies by a majority vote during open session, including:

• Private and public admonition
• Formal resolution of censure
• Removal from Board leadership roles or committee assignments
• Referral to the Wyoming Attorney General or local prosecuting authority for statutory enforcement under state law.

 

References: W.S. § 6-5-118, 9-13-101 through 107, W.S.§21-18-303, and the Wyoming Ethics and DisclosureAct.

Original Adoption Date: 3/10/09
Revision Date(s): 5/11/15, 10/19/26
Date(s) reviewed, no change: