The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) Board of Regents serves as the governing board for all 16 KCTCS institutions, including Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC). Members of the Board of Regents are free from undue influence and they protect BSCTC from such influence. Kentucky laws, procedures from the Governor's office, Board of Regents Bylaws, and BSCTC Board of Director Bylaws all contain provisions that serve to protect the Boards and the College from such undue influence.

Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) 164.321 ensures that Board of Regents appointments are free from undue influence through its selection process [1]. Board members must submit an application and conflict of interest questionnaire to the Governor's Office of Boards and Commissions before they are considered for board appointments [2]. The composition of the Board and the development and education of Board members are prescribed in the KCTCS Board of Regents Bylaws, sections 1.3 and 1.3.1 [3]. Section 1.4 of the Bylaws addresses the composition and conflict of interest issue for non-appointed members [4].

All potential higher education board members in Kentucky, including the BSCTC Board of Directors follow the same process required by the Governor's Office. They must submit an application and conflict of interest questionnaire before they are considered for appointment [2]. The BSCTC Board of Directors Bylaws address conflict of interest in Article IX [5].

The College is protected from undue influence by the KCTCS Board of Regents through the board policy on academic freedom. Policy 2.9.1.2 [6] states that, "It is the policy of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System to maintain and encourage, within the law, full freedom in inquiry, discourse, teaching, research, and publication; and to protect members of the academic community against influences, from within or without, which will restrict them in the exercise of these freedoms in the faculty members' areas of scholarly interest."

There have been no issues related to undue influence from political, religious, or other external bodies related to the KCTCS Board of Regents or the BSCTC Board of Directors.

Source

Location/Special Instructions

1.

Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) 164.321 pg 39

http://www.kctcs.edu/employee/policies/volumeI/krs164.pdf

2.

Governor's Office of Boards and Commissions Forms-Application and Conflict of Interest

3.2.4.2_Board_Appt_Submission_Form_Hollis.pdf

3.

KCTCS Board of Regents Bylaws, section 1.3 and 1.31

http://www.kctcs.edu/organization/board/bylaws.pdf

4.

KCTCS Board of Regents Bylaws, section 1.4

http://www.kctcs.edu/organization/board/bylaws.pdf

5.

BSCTC Board of Directors Bylaws, Article IX

BSCTC_Bd_of_Directors_Bylaws.pdf#page=6

6.

KCTCS Board of Regents Policy 2.9.1.2

http://www.kctcs.edu/employee/policies/volumeI/boardpolicies2-9-1-2.pdf