Governance
Each community college district is governed by a seven-member board of education, elected by the district’s voters.
(ORS
341.290)
Community colleges, like elementary and secondary education, are under the general supervision of the
State Board of
Education. A commissioner and Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development were established by the 1987 Legislature for community college administration. The commissioner has responsibility for the representation of community college interests to the governor, the legislature, state agencies and others. The commissioner, with the approval of the State Board of Education, is responsible for submitting community college budget requests to the legislature. The commissioner is appointed by and reports directly to the State Board of Education.
(ORS
326.375)
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General Board Authority
A community college board’s general authority is spelled out in
Oregon Revised Statutes, Chapter 341, Section
290. These general powers include the authority to:
- Hire and fire personnel, define their duties and terms and conditions of employment and establish salaries.
- Enact rules for the governance of the college.
- Prescribe the educational program (with approval from the
State Board of
Education).
- Control use of and access to the district’s property.
- Determine the ways the college’s revenues are spent.
- Purchase real property, enter into leases or mortgage agreements.
- Operate bookstores, food service and other revenue-generating activities.
- Set tuition and establish admission standards.
- Establish fees for special programs and student services.
- Inform the public of college activities.
- Contract with consultants.
- Maintain programs, services and facilities.
- Provide students services such as health, guidance, counseling and placement activities.
- Accept federal funds and contract with federal agencies.
- Prescribe the rules for the use and access to public records of the district.
- Exercise any other power, duty or responsibility necessary to carry out the functions of the college required by law.
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Specific Board Authority
In addition to a community college board’s general powers, other sections of
ORS Chapter 341 deal with specific powers, including:
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Community Colleges
