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Governing Style

  • Policy Name: Governing Style
  • Policy Types: Governance Process
  • Number: GP-01
  • Date Approved: October 20, 2025
  • Date Amended: 
  • Date Last Reviewed: 

The Board will govern lawfully and with the authority granted and duties defined in the Michigan Constitution and laws, federal laws, the Michigan Community College Act, and Higher Learning Accreditation standards with with an emphasis on outward vision, commitment to obtaining Ownership input, encouragement of diversity in viewpoints, strategic leadership, clear distinction of Board and staff roles, collective decision-making, and a proactive, future focus. This means the Board will not be preoccupied with the present or past, or with internal, administrative detail.

  1. The Board will cultivate a sense of group responsibility. The Board, not the staff, will be responsible for excellence in governing. The Board will initiate policy, not merely react to CEO initiatives. The Board will use the expertise of individual Trustees and Board committees to enhance the ability of the Board as a body to make policy, rather than to substitute their individual judgments for the group's values.

  2. The Board will direct, control and inspire the organization through the careful establishment of broad written policies reflecting the Owners’ values and perspectives. The Board’s major policy focus will be on the intended long-term results to be produced for beneficiaries outside the operational organization, not on the administrative means of attaining those results.

  3. The Board will enforce upon itself whatever self-discipline is needed to govern with excellence. Self-discipline will apply to matters such as attendance, preparation for meetings, policy-making principles, respect of roles, regular self-evaluation, and ensuring the continuity of governance capability. Although the Board can change its governance process policies at any time, it will scrupulously observe those currently in force.

    3.1.  The Board will conduct their work in a manner that is consistent with the Michigan Open Meetings Act.

  4. The Board will not allow any Trustee or committee of the Board to hinder or be an excuse for not fulfilling Board obligations.