BYLAWS
OF THE
VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD

ARTICLE I. The Board

Section 1.1 General Powers

The Virginia Highlands Community College Board shall act in an advisory capacity to the State Board for Community Colleges and shall perform such duties with respect to the operation of Virginia Highlands Community College as may be delegated to it by the State Board. It may be called the College Board.

Section 1.2 Number, Terms, and Eligibility of Members of the Board

  1. The Virginia Highlands Community College Board shall consist of nine members appointed as follows:
    1. The City Council of the City of Bristol, Virginia, shall appoint three (3) members with terms expiring as follows:
      • One on July l, l970 and each four years thereafter;
      •  One on July l, l97l and each four years thereafter; and
      •  One on July l, l972 and each four years thereafter.
    2.  The Board of Supervisors of Smyth County, Virginia, shall appoint two (2) members with terms expiring as follows:
      •  One on July l, l97l and each four years thereafter; and
      •  One on July l, l972 and each four years thereafter.
    3. The Board of Supervisors of Washington County, Virginia, shall appoint four (4) members with terms expiring as follows:
      •  Two on July l, l970 and each four years thereafter;
      •  One on July l, l97l and each four years thereafter; and
      •  One on July l, l972 and each four years thereafter.

      The first appointments shall be for three members for two years, three members for three years, and three members for four years, as provided above; and thereafter all appointments shall be for terms of fourThe first appointments shall be for three members for two years, three members for three years, and three members for four years, as provided above; and thereafter all appointments shall be for terms of four years each; except that appointments to fill vacancies shall be for the unexpired terms. No person having served on the College Board for two successive four-year terms shall be eligible for reappointment to the College Board for two years thereafter; provided that a person appointed to fill a vacancy may serve two additional successive terms years each; except that appointments to fill vacancies shall be for the unexpired terms. No person having served on the College Board for two successive four-year terms shall be eligible for reappointment to the College Board for two years thereafter; provided that a person appointed to fill a vacancy may serve two additional successive terms.

  2. B. The College Board membership distribution should be representative of the industries, businesses, and professions which are located in the service area of the college. To ensure an appropriate membership distribution representative of the service area, the State Board for Community Colleges established the list of employment categories (attached at the end of this document) to assist and guide the College Board Chairman and local government jurisdictions in the selection and appointment process. The President and College Board Chairman should work closely with the local jurisdictions in order to maintain a membership distribution representative of the college service area.
  3. No elected members of either the General Assembly or of a local governing body shall be eligible to serve on the College Board; however, elected town officials shall not be prohibited from serving on the College Board so long as such town is not a participating political subdivision sponsoring the College.

  4.  All members of the College Board shall be deemed members-at-large charged with the responsibility of serving the best interests of the whole region being served by the College.

  5. Failure to attend meetings of the College Board shall constitute cause for the removal and replacement of a College Board member. The College Board shall make this determination, and if it is determined that it is in the best interest of the College to have a replacement, the College Board shall notify the appropriate sponsoring political subdivision of the need for a replacement. Normally, absence from three (3) or more regular meetings within a year or from two (2) consecutive regular meetings will constitute cause for replacement. A member replaced for non-attendance shall not be eligible for reappointment for a period of two years.

Section 1.3 Reappointments and Vacancies

  1. When the term of office of a College Board member expires, the appropriate local political subdivision shall either reappoint the member or appoint a new member. If the member whose term of office has expired is eligible for reappointment the member shall continue in office until reappointed or a successor named. A member who is not eligible for reappointment shall discontinue serving on the College Board at the expiration of the designated term of service.
  2. Whenever a vacancy occurs on the College Board, the appropriate political subdivision shall appoint a person to fill the unexpired term of the member creating the vacancy.


Section 1.4 Reallocation of College Board Membership

In the event any political subdivision wishes to reallocate the positions on the College Board because of changing conditions, it shall notify the College Board and the State Board in writing of its desires and reasons for change. An ad hoc committee consisting of one member of the governing body of each political subdivision in the region being served by the College shall be appointed by the respective governing bodies. The ad hoc committee shall determine the following items for recommendation to the governing bodies of the participating subdivisions:

  1. The number of members (between nine and fifteen) on the College Board after reallocation.
  2.  The allocation of these members among the local political subdivisions.
  3.  The allocations of future local funds budgets among the local political subdivisions.

Implementation of the recommendations shall be contingent upon the approval by the governing bodies of the participating political subdivisions.

Section 1.5 Duties and Responsibilities

The Virginia Highlands Community College Board shall perform such duties with respect to the operation of the College as may be delegated to it by the State Board for Community Colleges. In general, the College Board is responsible for assuring that the community college is responsive to the needs existing within its service region within the statewide policies, procedures, and regulations of the State Board. The specific duties of the College Board include the following:

  1.  The College Board shall elect a chairman and other such officers from its membership as it deems necessary and shall adopt such rules and regulations as are considered necessary to conduct its business in an orderly manner.
  2.  The College Board and the members thereof shall serve as channels of communication between the State Board and the governing bodies of the local political subdivisions.
  3.  The College Board shall submit its recommendations to the State Board for a name for the community college and each campus of a multi-campus college. In the name of each community college shall be included the phrase "community college."
  4.  The College Board shall be authorized to provide names for any facilities on the College campus. The College Board shall provide recommendations to the State Board on the development of the site plan and on the design and construction of facilities for the community college.
  5.  The College Board shall participate with the Chancellor and the State Board in the selection, evaluation and removal of the President of the community college in accordance with procedures adopted by the State Board.
  6.  The College Board shall participate, with the College President, the Chancellor and the State Board, in the development and evaluation of a program of community college education of high quality in accordance with procedures adopted by the State Board. In that context, a college statement of purpose shall be developed by the college community. It shall be approved by the College Board and reviewed and approved by the Chancellor on behalf of the State Board. This statement of purpose shall tailor the VCCS Mission Statement to the particular needs and circumstances of the college.
  7.  The College Board shall be responsible for eliciting community participation in program planning and development, establishing local citizens’ advisory committees for specialized programs and curricula, and approving the appointments of all members of these committees.
  8.  The College Board shall review all new curricular proposals for the community college and shall recommend those proposals that it supports to the State Board. It shall also review proposals for the discontinuation of programs and shall communicate its recommendations on such proposals to the State Board.
  9.  The College Board shall oversee the development and evaluation of the community service program for the community college, and may authorize the President to grant an "award of completion" to a person successfully completing an approved non-credit program.
  10.  The College Board shall be kept informed of the fiscal status of the College by the College President and shall receive summaries of the biennial financial plan and the annual spending plans.
  11.  The College Board shall review and approve a detailed local funds budget for the community college as prepared by the College President within State Board guidelines, and shall submit this proposed budget to the State Board for review at the time of its submission to the local political subdivisions. In addition, the College Board shall submit a financial statement showing detailed expenditures of such local funds to the local political subdivisions and the State Board at the end of the fiscal year.
  12.  The College Board shall be responsible for reviewing and approving local regulations on student conduct developed by the College President within the guidelines of the State Board.
  13.  The College Board shall be responsible for the review and approval of a budget prepared by the College President for the expenditure of revenues from vending commissions and auxiliary enterprises, including the student activity fund, within the guidelines established by the State Board. The College Board shall be responsible for reviewing and approving periodic reports of revenues and expenditures within these funds.
  14.  The College Board shall be responsible both for reviewing reports of audit and for reviewing the College President's response to those reports of audit.
  15.  The College Board shall be informed of personnel matters by the College President.
  16.  The College Board shall be responsible for reviewing and approving a written annual report regarding the operation of the College as prepared by the College President.

Section 1.6 Contact with the State Board

The College Board or its authorized representatives may appear before the State Board for Community Colleges simply by notifying the secretary of the State Board of its request no later than fifteen days prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the State Board so that this matter may be put on the agenda.

Section 1.7 Regular Meetings

The regular meetings of the College Board are scheduled for the second Thursday of July, November, March, and May (first Thursday) at 12:00 noon at the College. The regular meetings may be rescheduled by the chairman with prior notice to all members.

Section 1.8 Special Meetings

Special meetings of the College Board may be called by or at the request of the chairman or any two members upon notice to each member of the Board.

Section 1.9 Quorum

Five members of the College Board shall constitute a quorum for all purposes.

Section 1.10 Manner of Acting

The act of majority of the members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board.

Section 1.11 Freedom of Information and Conflict of Interest

All meetings of the College Board will be open to the public, except that the Board may go into executive session for specific purposes as outlined in the Freedom of Information Act, Sec. 2.2-3711(a) of the Code of Virginia, and the Board convenes and adjourns the closed session in the manner provided by said Section.

The President of the College shall forward a draft copy of all College Board minutes to the Chancellor within fourteen (14) working days following the meeting. Approved copies of the College Board minutes shall be forwarded to the Chancellor upon approval by the College Board. Any additions or corrections to the draft minutes reflected in the approved minutes shall be noted.
Pursuant to Section 2.2-3114 of the Code of Virginia and Executive Order 53 (03), members of certain boards of state and local government are required to file a Financial Disclosure Statement as a condition of assuming office and, then, annually while serving as an officeholder. For Local Board Members: If you have recently been appointed or reappointed, you must file this form with the Clerk of the appropriate governing body prior to attending your first meeting. As an annual filing, this form constitutes a report of financial interests for the calendar year beginning January 1 and ending December 31. As a condition for assuming an office, this form constitutes a report of financial interests at the time of filing.


Section 1.12 Chairman and Vice-Chairman

The College Board shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from its membership, and assign them such duties as it deems appropriate. The chairman and vice-chairman shall be elected at the meeting in July or as soon thereafter as the Board meets and shall serve for a term of one year. No member shall serve as chairman for more than two consecutive years. The chairmanship shall be rotated among the three local jurisdictions, provided there are board members from those jurisdictions willing to serve. The chairman shall not come from the same local jurisdiction until the other jurisdictions have been represented, subject to the availability and willingness of Board members to serve as chairman (Effective September 12, 1991). In the absence of the chairman, the vice-chairman shall perform the chairman's duties.

Section 1.13 Secretary

The President of the College is ex officio secretary of the Board as provided in State Board regulations.

Section 1.14 Committees

In addition to the executive committee provided for elsewhere in these bylaws, the Board may by a resolution designate other committees with authority limited to that prescribed in the resolution appointing them.

Section 1.11 Freedom of Information and Conflict of Interest

All meetings of the College Board will be open to the public, except that the Board may go into executive session for specific purposes as outlined in the Freedom of Information Act, Sec. 2.2-3711(a) of the Code of Virginia, and the Board convenes and adjourns the closed session in the manner provided by said Section.

The President of the College shall forward a draft copy of all College Board minutes to the Chancellor within fourteen (14) working days following the meeting. Approved copies of the College Board minutes shall be forwarded to the Chancellor upon approval by the College Board. Any additions or corrections to the draft minutes reflected in the approved minutes shall be noted.
Pursuant to Section 2.2-3114 of the Code of Virginia and Executive Order 53 (03), members of certain boards of state and local government are required to file a Financial Disclosure Statement as a condition of assuming office and, then, annually while serving as an officeholder. For Local Board Members: If you have recently been appointed or reappointed, you must file this form with the Clerk of the appropriate governing body prior to attending your first meeting. As an annual filing, this form constitutes a report of financial interests for the calendar year beginning January 1 and ending December 31. As a condition for assuming an office, this form constitutes a report of financial interests at the time of filing.


Section 1.12 Chairman and Vice-Chairman

The College Board shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from its membership, and assign them such duties as it deems appropriate. The chairman and vice-chairman shall be elected at the meeting in July or as soon thereafter as the Board meets and shall serve for a term of one year. No member shall serve as chairman for more than two consecutive years. The chairmanship shall be rotated among the three local jurisdictions, provided there are board members from those jurisdictions willing to serve. The chairman shall not come from the same local jurisdiction until the other jurisdictions have been represented, subject to the availability and willingness of Board members to serve as chairman (Effective September 12, 1991). In the absence of the chairman, the vice-chairman shall perform the chairman's duties.

Section 1.13 Secretary

The President of the College is ex officio secretary of the Board as provided in State Board regulations.

Section 1.14 Committees

In addition to the executive committee provided for elsewhere in these bylaws, the Board may by a resolution designate other committees with authority limited to that prescribed in the resolution appointing them.

Section 1.15 Compensation

The members of the Board shall receive no salaries or other compensation for their services. They shall be paid their actual expenses incurred in performance of their duties as members of the Board.

Section 1.16 Presumption of Assent

A member who is present at a meeting of the Board at which action on any matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless the member's dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting, or unless the member files a written dissent to such action with the person acting as secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof.

ARTICLE II. Executive Committee

Section 2.1 Number and Appointment of Members

The executive committee shall consist of the chairman and vice-chairman of the Board and one or two other members appointed by the chairman such that there shall be not less than one member from each of the sponsoring political subdivisions.

Section 2.2 General Powers

The executive committee shall advise and aid the President of the College in all matters concerning its interest in the management of the College, and, when the Board is not in session, the executive committee shall have and exercise all the power of the Board with reference to the conduct of the business of the College.

Section 2.3 Meetings

Meetings of the executive committee shall be called upon notice by the chairman or any two members of the executive committee. In the event the executive committee acts in the name of the Board, it shall report such action at the next regular meeting of the Board.

Section 2.4 Quorum

At any meeting of the executive committee, the chairman or vice-chairman and one other member shall constitute a quorum but any action of the executive committee to be effective must be authorized by affirmative vote of a majority of the members thereof present at the meeting.

ARTICLE III. Miscellaneous

Section 3.1 Notice of Meetings

Whenever notice of a meeting is required to be given herein, such notice shall be given to each member of the College Board or committee, as the case may be, at either their business or residence address, as shown by the records of the secretary, at least three working days prior to the meeting if mailed and twenty-four hours previously if delivered or given by email or telephone, and it shall state the time, place and purpose of such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail, so addressed, with postage prepaid thereon. If notice is given by e-mail such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when the email is sent. Any member may waive notice of any meeting and the attendance of a member at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except where the member attends for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of business thereat on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

Section 3.2 Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the College Board in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the Board may adopt.

Section 3.3 Amendment of Bylaws

These bylaws can be amended at any regular or special meeting of the College Board by a two-thirds vote, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing with the notice of the meeting.

ARTICLE III. Miscellaneous

Section 3.1 Notice of Meetings

Whenever notice of a meeting is required to be given herein, such notice shall be given to each member of the College Board or committee, as the case may be, at either their business or residence address, as shown by the records of the secretary, at least three working days prior to the meeting if mailed and twenty-four hours previously if delivered or given by email or telephone, and it shall state the time, place and purpose of such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail, so addressed, with postage prepaid thereon. If notice is given by e-mail such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when the email is sent. Any member may waive notice of any meeting and the attendance of a member at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except where the member attends for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of business thereat on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

Section 3.2 Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the College Board in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the Board may adopt.

Section 3.3 Amendment of Bylaws

These bylaws can be amended at any regular or special meeting of the College Board by a two-thirds vote, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing with the notice of the meeting.

Section 3.4 Conflict with State Board Policies or Law

If any portion of these bylaws is found to be in conflict with the policies of the State Board for Community Colleges or with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia or the United States of America, that portion, and only that portion, of these bylaws shall be null and void.
Section 3.5 Public Comments at Board Meetings
The College Board welcomes comments from the public related to matters of the College. Therefore, every College Board meeting agenda includes a time for public comments.

The Board allows each person five (5) minutes to speak, or, in the case of several individuals from the same organization, ten (10) minutes total. The Public Comment period is not a time for debate with Board members, but rather an opportunity for citizens to make statements and/or request information.

Anyone who wants to speak at the meeting should notify the Office of the President of the particular matter at least five days in advance of the meeting. In lieu of speaking at the meeting, written comments may be provided. Phone numbers of the College are (276) 739-2400 (local) or (877) 207-6115 (toll-free in selected areas). All lines are Voice/TDD.

Section 3.6 Naming Buildings

The VHCC Board may provide for building naming on the basis of significant service and/or private sector giving to support the college. Recognition for private sector giving should typically occur after the gift has been received rather than on a prospective basis. Individuals are not eligible for this award if currently employed at the college or elsewhere within the Virginia Community College System, serving on the local College Board, or serving on the State Board for Community Colleges. A separation from such employment or service of at least one month is a prerequisite for eligibility.


If any portion of these bylaws is found to be in conflict with the policies of the State Board for Community Colleges or with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia or the United States of America, that portion, and only that portion, of these bylaws shall be null and void.
Section 3.5 Public Comments at Board Meetings
The College Board welcomes comments from the public related to matters of the College. Therefore, every College Board meeting agenda includes a time for public comments.

The Board allows each person five (5) minutes to speak, or, in the case of several individuals from the same organization, ten (10) minutes total. The Public Comment period is not a time for debate with Board members, but rather an opportunity for citizens to make statements and/or request information.

Anyone who wants to speak at the meeting should notify the Office of the President of the particular matter at least five days in advance of the meeting. In lieu of speaking at the meeting, written comments may be provided. Phone numbers of the College are (276) 739-2400 (local) or (877) 207-6115 (toll-free in selected areas). All lines are Voice/TDD.

Section 3.6 Naming Buildings

The VHCC Board may provide for building naming on the basis of significant service and/or private sector giving to support the college. Recognition for private sector giving should typically occur after the gift has been received rather than on a prospective basis. Individuals are not eligible for this award if currently employed at the college or elsewhere within the Virginia Community College System, serving on the local College Board, or serving on the State Board for Community Colleges. A separation from such employment or service of at least one month is a prerequisite for eligibility.

 

EMPLOYMENT CATEGORIES FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD MEMBERSHIP

Agriculture
Air Conditioning & Heating
Allied Health
Aluminum
Architect
Artist
Associations - Public Service
Associations - Trade
Automobile Industry
Beverages
Broadcasting Service
Materials
Business Service
Chemical Industry
Clothing Industry
Coal Industry
Communication Service
Construction Service
Dentistry
Dry Goods & General Merchandise
Education
Industry & Electronics
Engineering
Entertainment
Exhibitions
Finance
Fire Fighting & Prevention
Firearms & Explosives
Food Industry
Funeral
 Furniture & Home Furnishings
Gas Industry
Glass Industry
Government
Hardware
Homemaking
Horticulture
Hotels, Resorts, & Restaurants
Institutions & Hospitals
Insurance
Iron & Steel Industry
Jewelry
Laundry, Cleaning and Dyeing
Law
Law Enforcement
Machinery & Equipment
Meat, Dairy, Poultry & Fish
Products
Medical Equipment & Supplies
Medicine
Metal, Mining & Refining
Military Personnel
Mineral Oil Industry
Musical Instruments & Merchandise
Office Appliances, Equipment, & Building
Stationery
Optical Goods & Services
Osteopathy
 Paints, Oils, & Decoration Paper Industry
Pharmacy
Photography
Plastics Industry
Plumbing
Power Production Equipment & Electrical
Supplies
Printing & Publishing
Public Relations & Advertising
Public Utilities and/or Service
Pure Science
Real Estate
Recreation
Refrigeration
Religion
Retired
Rubber Industry
Ships & Nautical Equipment
Shoe Industry
Stone Industry
Storage
Textile Fibers
Tobacco Industry
Transportation
Vehicle Industry
Veterinary Medicine
Wood Industry