The institution has a governing board of at least five members that is the legal body with specific authority over the institution. The board is an active policy-making body for the institution and is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the financial resources of the institution are adequate to provide a sound educational program. The board is not controlled by a minority of board members or by organizations or interests separate from it. Neither the presiding officer of the board nor the majority of other voting members of the board have contractual, employment, or personal or familial financial interest in the institution. A military institution authorized and operated by the federal government to award degrees has a public board in which neither the presiding officer nor a majority of the other members are civilian employees of the military or active/retired military. The board has broad and significant influence upon the institutions programs and operations, plays an active role in policy-making, and ensures that the financial resources of the institution are used to provide a sound educational program. The board is not controlled by a minority of board members or by organizations or interests separate from the board except as specified by the authorizing legislation. Neither the presiding officer of the board nor the majority of other voting board members have contractual, employment, or personal or familial financial interest in the institution.

(Governing Board)

     X    Compliance         Partial Compliance         Non-Compliance

Narrative: Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College (OCtech) is governed by the Orangeburg-Calhoun Area Technical Education Commission. The Area Commission is a seven-member corporate body established by the state of South Carolina (SC Code of Laws 59-53-1010-1060). Five members are appointed from Orangeburg County and two members are appointed from Calhoun County. All members are appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of a majority of the resident members of the Legislative Delegation of the respective counties. As outlined by the Legislation, the powers of the Commission include, but are not limited to, the power to adopt bylaws, to conduct business, to accept funds, to acquire and hold real property, and to expend funds to operate facilities. Minutes of the Commission meetings indicate that the Area Commission is an active policy-making body that is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the financial resources of the College are adequate to provide a sound educational program. The Commission generally meets eight to ten times per year and is required by its Bylaws to meet at least six times per year. The Commission approves the annual operating budget of the College and receives regular budget updates and other financial and operational information at each meeting. Minutes reflect that the Commission is not controlled by a minority of its members or by organizations or interests separate from it. Under the guidelines of OCtech Policy 1.003, neither the presiding officer of the Commission nor the majority of the other voting members may have a contractual, employment, or personal or familial financial interest in the institution. Members are also required by state law to file an annual Statement of Ethics Economic Interest Form with the State Ethics Commission. OCtech is not a military institution authorized and operated by the federal government.

Evidence of Support: