SECTION IX
COLLEGE/COMMUNITY RELATIONS

9.01.  RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PUBLIC

The Governing Board recognizes its responsibility to the public to provide information concerning all of its actions, its policies, and details of its educational and business operations.  In keeping with this recognition of responsibility, the Board enacts the following policies:

1. All regular and special meetings of the CNM Governing Board shall be open to the community and shall be publicly announced in advance.  A meeting may be closed as provided by law.
   
   

2. An annual budget hearing, open to the public, shall be publicly announced and held each spring for the purpose of adopting the budget for the forthcoming fiscal year.
   
   

3. A report of financial and educational activities of the school year shall be submitted annually to the Board by the President of the College.  Such report shall be circulated to the community.
   
   

4. Curriculum advisory committees shall exist to provide for greater community involvement in the educational planning process.
   
   

5. The civic population as well as College employees shall be kept fully informed of school matters through appropriate public news media and College publications.

Table of Contents

9.02.  PARTICIPATION BY THE PUBLIC

The Governing Board recognizes that constructive study, discussion, and active participation by citizens are necessary to promote the best possible program of education in the community. 

1. To encourage this participation, the Board directs the President to have in effect policies and procedures governing the purpose of any such group, appointment and responsibilities of members, and conduct of business.  Such policies and procedures shall be published in the Employee Handbook.
   
   

2. Employers and other citizens are encouraged to visit the College throughout the school year. 

1.  Except in emergencies, all visitors must obtain permission of the administrator in charge before entering a classroom or lab.

2.  Visitors must comply with all applicable policies and procedures.

Table of Contents

9.03.  INSPECTION/RELEASE OF COLLEGE RECORDS

The Governing Board recognizes the right of the public to examine any public record on file at the College.  Accordingly, the Board directs the president to have in effect a policy and procedure for inspection of public records and acquisition of copies of said records.  The policy and procedure shall be published in the Employee Handbook.  Public records do not include home addresses and telephone numbers of individual employees.

Table of Contents

9.04.  NON COLLEGE-FAMILY USE OF BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

The public investment in the College and the general community welfare justify the use of buildings and grounds by outside groups that are not part of the College Family (see 9.05)  except in the following instances:

1)  Selling or offering to sell goods or services; or

2)  Teaching or offering training services that compete with the College or courses offered or intended to be offered in the immediate future by the College.

Fundraising efforts of recognized student groups and the Foundation are not prohibited.  Use of College buildings and grounds must not interfere with College programs, administration or maintenance.  Use of College buildings not conducted or sponsored by a member of the College Family shall be subject to payment of a fee in accordance with a schedule adopted by the administration.  Reservations and other arrangements for use of buildings and grounds should be directed to the Vice President for Administrative Services, who reserves the right to refuse the proposed use if, in the Vice President's opinion, the use is not consistent with the mission or the best interest of the College.

Table of Contents

9.05  College-Family use of buildings and grounds

The buildings and grounds of the College may be used by the College’s administration, faculty, recognized student groups (those student groups registered with the Dean of Students Office), and foundation (‘College Family’) for noncommercial purposes at no charge.  Use of College buildings and grounds must not interfere with College programs, administration or maintenance.  While no charge will be assessed for the use of the buildings or grounds as those buildings or grounds are normally supplied or maintained, if special equipment or services are required, a reasonable charge may be assessed.  Reservations and other arrangements for use of the College buildings and grounds should be directed to the Vice President for Administrative Services.

Table of Contents

9.06.  GIFTS AND DONATIONS

The Governing Board may accept, and has authorized the CNM Foundation to accept, donations, devices, and title to property for the College.  Presentation of memorials or other awards shall be fittingly recognized by the Board.  Such recognition shall in no case be considered as a testimonial or endorsement by the College of a product or business enterprise.

Table of Contents

9.07.  PRIVATE TEACHING AT THE COLLEGE

College buildings may not be used for private teaching for which a tuition charge is made either by staff members employed by the College or by any other outside organizations or persons except in the following instances: 1. classes offered by public institutions of higher education; 2. classes offered by government-related organizations; and 3. classes offered by persons or organizations, the subject matter of which is not offered or intended to be offered in the immediate future by the College.

Table of Contents

9.08. NAMING OF COLLEGE FACILITIES

Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) may choose to name facilities (buildings, room or areas) after an individual(s) or business entity(ies) with a history of exceptional contributions to the institution.  Such designations shall be made in accordance with the following guidelines:

1. An honoree may not be employed by the College or be a member of the Governing Board or the CNM Foundation Board at the time of the designation.  An honoree shall have left employment, Governing Board or CNM Foundation Board service for at least one year prior or shall have been deceased for at least one year prior to such a designation being made.
   
   
2. An honoree shall have earned distinction through extraordinary service or financial contributions to the College and by having demonstrated exemplary character.
   
   
3. A person who has contributed financially to a specific facility should be given strong consideration as an honoree if the amount contributed equals at least one-third of the cost of the facility.
   
   
4. Any facility carrying an honorary name designation, whenever possible, should also carry a current functional designation.
   
   
5. The Governing Board shall approve all honorary name designations for College facilities and may discontinue any such designations.
   
   
6. The College reserves the right to physically alter any facility carrying on honorary name designation.

Table of Contents

9.09. CAMPUS MEMORIAL

A campus memorial, located on Main Campus, provides a centralized and uniform means of honoring deceased persons who have worked at CNM.  Any other form of memorializing individuals on campus shall be subject to the policy on Naming of College Facilities, Section 9.08 (see above).

Tributes shall be in the form of metal plaques attached to the memorial according to the following guidelines:

1. Memorial plaques shall be of one uniform design (size, layout, wording, lettering), specifics of the design to be determined by the Public Information Office.
   
   
2. The name of any employee who dies while in service at CNM shall automatically be placed on the memorial at no charge.
   
   
3. The name of any former employee who is deceased may be added to the memorial based on the following criteria:
   
   
   1. A written request, including verification of the deceased’s CNM employment, shall be made to the Public Information Office.
      
      
   2. The requester, or sponsor, shall pay the cost of the plaque.
      
      
   3. The cost of a plaque shall be determined by CNM.
      

Table of Contents