Chapter 3358 | State Community Colleges

Section 3358.01 | State community college definitions.

• Effective: September 30, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

As used in sections 3358.01 to 3358.10 of the Revised Code:

(A) "State community college district" means a political subdivision composed of the territory of a county, or of two or more contiguous counties, in either case having a total population of at least one hundred fifty thousand, and organized for the purpose of establishing, owning, and operating a state community college within the district or a political subdivision created pursuant to division (A) of section 3358.02 of the Revised Code.

(B) "State community college" means a two-year institution, offering a baccalaureate-oriented program, technical education program, or an adult continuing education program. The extent to which the college offers baccalaureate-oriented and technical programs shall be determined in its charter. However, a state community college may offer applied bachelor's degree programs or nursing bachelor's degree programs pursuant to section 3333.051 of the Revised Code.

(C) "Baccalaureate-oriented program" means a curricular program of not more than two years' duration that is planned and intended to enable students to gain academic credit for courses comparable to first- and second-year courses offered by accredited colleges and universities. The purpose of baccalaureate-oriented coursework in state community colleges is to enable students to transfer to colleges and universities and earn baccalaureate degrees or to enable students to terminate academic study after two years with a proportionate recognition of academic achievement through receipt of an associate degree.

(D) "Technical education program" means a post high school program of not more than two years' duration that is planned and intended to prepare students to pursue employment or improve technical knowledge in careers generally but not exclusively at the semiprofessional level. Technical education programs include, but are not limited to, programs in the technologies of business, engineering, health, natural science, and public service and are programs which, after two years of academic study, result in proportionate recognition of academic achievement through receipt of an associate degree.

(E) "Adult continuing education program" means the offering of short courses, seminars, workshops, exhibits, performances, and other educational activities for the general educational or occupational benefit of adults.

(F) "Applied bachelor's degree" has the same meaning as in section 3333.051 of the Revised Code.

Last updated August 2, 2021 at 11:22 AM

Section 3358.02 | State community college district.

• Effective: October 17, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 166 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) A state community college district may be created to take the place of a technical college or a university branch with the approval of the chancellor of higher education upon the proposal of the board of trustees of a technical college district, or upon the proposal of the board of trustees of a state university, or upon the joint proposal of both such boards, and pursuant to an agreement entered into under section 3358.05 of the Revised Code. A state community college district may not be created to take the place of both a technical college district and a university branch without the consent of both boards of trustees.

The attorney general shall be the attorney for each state community college district and shall provide legal advice in all matters relating to its powers and duties.

(B)(1) Qualified electors residing in a county, or in two or more contiguous counties, with a total population of at least one hundred fifty thousand may, in the manner prescribed in division (C) of section 3354.02 of the Revised Code, execute a petition proposing the creation of a state community college district within the territory of the county or counties. Upon the certification to the chancellor that a majority of the electors voting on the proposition in the territory in which the proposed college is to be located voted in favor thereof, the chancellor may create a state community college district comprising the territory included in the petition.

(2) The board of county commissioners of a county in which there is no university branch or technical college and which has a population of not less than one hundred fifty thousand may, by resolution approved by two-thirds of its members, propose the creation of a state community college district within the county. Upon certification to the chancellor of a copy of such resolution, the chancellor may create a state community college district comprising a county.

(3) The boards of county commissioners of any two or more contiguous counties in which there is no university branch or technical college and which have a combined population of not less than one hundred fifty thousand may, by a resolution approved by two-thirds of the members of each such board, jointly propose the creation of a state community college district within the territory of the counties. Upon certification to the chancellor of a copy of the resolution, the chancellor may create a state community college district comprising the counties.

(C) A state community college district may be expanded to include one or more counties, by a majority vote of the board of trustees and upon approval by the chancellor.

(D) Upon a proposal of the board of trustees of a state community college district, the chancellor may amend the charter of a state community college to change it into a community college as defined in section 3354.01 of the Revised Code, in order to permit the college to seek a local levy. Such amendment of the charter is effective immediately upon its acceptance by the chancellor, and the state community college district shall thereupon become a community college district. If a levy is defeated by the voters or if no levy is approved by the electors within one year after the date the amendment takes effect, such amendment becomes void, and the college shall thereupon become a state community college, and the district operating such college shall become a state community college district. On the effective date of a charter amendment the board of trustees of the state community college district shall become the initial board of trustees for the community college district to serve for the balance of their existing terms, and the board or boards of county commissioners from the counties involved shall fill the first six vacancies occurring on the community college board, and thereafter board members shall be appointed under section 3354.05 of the Revised Code. If such an amendment takes effect and is subsequently voided under this section, any persons appointed to the board during the period the amendment was in effect shall be considered members of the state community college district board, and thereafter trustees shall be appointed in accordance with section 3358.03 of the Revised Code.

Within thirty days after approval by the chancellor of a state community college district proposed under this section, the chancellor shall file with the secretary of state a copy of the chancellor's certification creating the district. This copy shall be recorded in the office of the secretary of state, who shall then declare the district to be established.

In addition to the process described in this division, a state community college may seek a local levy in accordance with section 3358.11 of the Revised Code for the purposes prescribed in that section.

Section 3358.03 | Appointment of trustees - term.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

The government of a state community college district is vested in a board of nine trustees who shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Within ninety days after a state community college district is created pursuant to section 3358.02 of the Revised Code, the governor shall make initial appointments to the board. Of these appointments three shall be for terms ending two years after the date upon which the district was created, three shall be for terms ending four years after that date, and three shall be for terms ending six years after that date. Thereafter, the successive terms of trustees shall be for six years, each term ending on the same day of the same month of the year as did the term which it succeeds. Each trustee shall hold office from the date of appointment until the end of the term for which the trustee was appointed. Any trustee appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which the trustee's predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of such term. Any trustee shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the trustee's term until the trustee's successor takes office. Where a state community college district succeeds to the operations of a state general and technical college, or a technical college district, the initial board of trustees of the district shall be composed of the members of the board of trustees of the state general and technical college, or a technical college district, to serve for the balance of their existing terms, and such additional number appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, as will total nine members; and the terms of such members appointed by the governor originally and to all succeeding terms shall be such that, in combination with the original remaining terms of the members from the technical college district, the eventual result will be that three terms will expire every second year. Appointees shall be qualified electors of the state. The trustees shall receive no compensation for their services, but may be paid for their reasonably necessary expenses while engaged in the discharge of their official duties. A majority of the sitting members of the board at the time of a meeting constitutes a quorum.

Last updated September 22, 2023 at 2:09 PM

Section 3358.04 | Election and appointment of officers of board - duties.

• Effective: November 4, 1977
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 229 - 112th General Assembly

The board of trustees of a state community college district shall annually, during the first regular scheduled meeting following the beginning of the calendar year, elect from their members a chairman and a vice-chairman, neither of whom shall serve in his office for more than three consecutive years, and they may also appoint as secretary, either a member of the board or the president of the college or his designee. The board shall do all things necessary for the creation, proper maintenance, and successful and continuous operation of a state community college, and may adopt and at any time amend bylaws and rules for the conduct of the board and the government and conduct of the college.

Section 3358.05 | Agreement between boards to effect transition.

• Effective: November 4, 1977
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 229 - 112th General Assembly

Upon proposal by the board of trustees of a technical college district, the board of trustees of a state university, or both, and upon approval of the establishment of a state community college district by the Ohio board of regents, an agreement between the board of trustees of the proposing technical college district, state university, or both, and the Ohio board of regents shall be entered into to effect the transition of the technical college district's technical college or of a university branch, or both, to a state community college. The agreement shall designate the county or counties to be included in the district and shall include provision therein for the transfer of assets and contracts, assumption or discharging of liabilities and obligations, the date as of which the transition shall be effected and the state community college district shall be created, and such other matters as are necessary or appropriate to the purpose. Nothing in the agreement may, or shall be construed to, affect the rights of holders or owners of bonds or notes issued pursuant to section 3357.11 of the Revised Code until the bonds or notes are returned or provisions therefor made. The agreement shall be entered into by the Ohio board of regents on behalf of the state community college district and is binding upon the college district and its board of trustees. The board of trustees of a technical college district shall not approve an agreement for the transfer of the district's assets unless it finds and determines that the agreement adequately provides for the achievement of the purposes for which the district was created and will be beneficial to the people of the district.

Section 3358.06 | Treasurer to be fiscal officer - duties, bond.

• Effective: October 17, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 166 - 133rd General Assembly

(A)(1) The treasurer of each state community college district shall be its fiscal officer, and the treasurer shall receive and disburse all funds under the direction of the college president. No contract of the college's board of trustees involving the expenditure of money shall become effective until the treasurer certifies that there are funds of the board otherwise uncommitted and sufficient to provide therefor, subject to division (A)(2) of this section.

When the treasurer ceases to hold the office, the treasurer or the treasurer's legal representative shall deliver to the treasurer's successor or the president all moneys, books, papers, and other property of the college.

Before entering upon the discharge of official duties, the treasurer shall give bond to the state or be insured for the faithful performance of official duties and the proper accounting for all moneys coming into the treasurer's care. The amount of the bond or insurance shall be determined by the board but shall not be for a sum less than the estimated amount that may come into the treasurer's control at any time, less any reasonable deductible.

(2) If the board of trustees levies a tax under section 3358.11 of the Revised Code, the board and the treasurer are subject to and shall comply with division (D) of section 5705.41 of the Revised Code.

(B) The board of trustees may provide for the investment of district funds. Investments may be made in securities of the United States government or of its agencies or instrumentalities, the treasurer of state's pooled investment program, obligations of this state or any political subdivision of this state, certificates of deposit of any national bank located in this state, written repurchase agreements with any eligible Ohio financial institution that is a member of the federal reserve system or federal home loan bank, money market funds, or bankers acceptances maturing in two hundred seventy days or less which are eligible for purchase by the federal reserve system, as a reserve. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any provision of the Revised Code to the contrary, the board of trustees of a state community college district may provide for the investment of district funds in any manner authorized under section 3345.05 of the Revised Code.

Section 3358.061 | Liability for loss of public funds.

• Effective: September 13, 2022
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 15 - 134th General Assembly

The treasurer or other fiscal officer of a state community college district shall not be held liable for a loss of public funds when the treasurer or officer has performed all official duties required of the treasurer or officer with reasonable care, but shall be liable only when a loss of public funds results from the treasurer's or officer's negligence or other wrongful act.

Last updated June 30, 2022 at 5:14 PM

Section 3358.07 | Official plan for college - approval, issuance of charter.

• Effective: November 4, 1977
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 229 - 112th General Assembly

Upon the qualification of its members, the board of trustees of a state community college district shall prepare an official plan for a state community college within the district except where the district was created under division (C) or (D) of section 3358.02 of the Revised Code. The official plan shall include, but need not be limited to, a demonstration of needs and prospective enrollment, by the types and to the extent of the specific programs defined in section 3358.01 of the Revised Code; a description and location of lands, buildings, facilities, and improvements proposed to be occupied by the college; a proposed schedule for acquisition of such lands or improvements, for construction of improvements, and for operation of the college; the proposed organization and program of the college, consistent with the proposed lands and improvements; and a proposed budget to meet operating cost for the first two years of operation of the college including the proposed faculty-student ratio to be maintained by the institution.

In preparing the official plan, the board of trustees may retain consultants as needed.

For the purpose of preparing the official plan, the board may receive and expend gifts, grants, bequests, or devises, or public funds appropriated for this purpose.

The official plan shall include a recommendation as to whether the state community college shall be operated directly by the board of trustees of the state community college district, or shall be operated in part by an accredited university or college pursuant to a contract to be entered into by the board of trustees of the state community college district and the governing board of the university or college. If the plan recommends that the state community college be operated in part under such a contract, it shall include the full text of the recommended contract, with certification by the respective boards to the effect that they have adopted resolutions approving the contract and await approval of the plan and the contract by the board of regents.

In any instance in which an official plan proposes partial operation by an accredited university or college, pursuant to a contract, the contract shall include a provision that the contracting university or college will accept all academic credit awarded to students attending the proposed state community college under the contract if the student desires to transfer to the contracting university or college. The contract shall also include a provision that the contracting university or college shall not unreasonably and wastefully duplicate existing educational services.

Upon completing the preparation of the offficial plan, the board of trustees of a state community college district shall file a copy of the plan with the board of regents, which shall approve or disapprove the plan or any of its provisions. If the board of regents approves the official plan, it shall certify a copy of its action to the board of trustees of the state community college district and issue a charter creating and establishing the state community college, to be known by the name set forth in the official plan. The official plan shall be appended to and shall become a part of the charter, and the charter shall not thereafter be changed except by charter amendment, in accordance with the procedure set forth in this section for preparation and adoption of an official plan in the first instance.

Last updated May 26, 2021 at 1:58 PM

Section 3358.08 | Powers and duties of board of trustees.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

The board of trustees of a state community college district may:

(A) Own and operate a state community college;

(B) Hold, encumber, control, acquire by donation, purchase or condemn, construct, own, lease, use, and sell, real and personal property as necessary for the conduct of the program of the state community college on whatever terms and for whatever consideration may be appropriate for the purpose of the institution;

(C) Accept gifts, grants, bequests, and devises absolute or in trust for support of the state community college;

(D) Employ a president, and appoint or approve the appointment of other necessary administrative officers, full-time faculty members, and operating staff. The board may delegate the appointment of operating staff and part-time faculty members to the college president. The board shall fix the rate of compensation of the president and all officers and full-time employees as are necessary and proper for state community colleges.

(E) Provide for the state community college necessary lands, buildings, or other structures, equipment, means, and appliances;

(F) Establish within the maximum amounts permitted by law, schedules of fees and tuition for students who are Ohio residents and students who are not;

(G) Grant appropriate degrees to students successfully completing the state community college's programs, and certificates of achievement to students who complete other programs;

(H) Prescribe policies for the effective operation of the state community college and exercise such other powers as are necessary for the efficient management of the college;

(I) Enter into contracts with neighboring colleges and universities for the conduct of state community college programs or technical courses outside the state community college district;

(J) Purchase:

(1) A policy or policies of insurance insuring the district against loss or damage to property, whether real, personal, or mixed, which is owned by the district or leased by it as lessee or which is in the process of construction by or for the district;

(2) A policy or policies of fidelity insurance in such amounts and covering such trustees, officers, and employees of the district as the board may consider necessary or desirable;

(3) A policy or policies of liability insurance from an insurer or insurers licensed to do business in this state insuring its members, officers, and employees against all civil liability arising from an act or omission by the member, officer, or employee, when the member, officer, or employee is not acting manifestly outside the scope of employment or official responsibilities with the institution, with malicious purpose or bad faith, or in a wanton or reckless manner, or may otherwise provide for the indemnification of such persons against such liability. All or any portion of the cost, premium, or charge for such a policy or policies or indemnification payment may be paid from any funds under the institution's control. The policy or policies of liability insurance or the indemnification policy of the institution may cover any risks including, but not limited to, damages resulting from injury to property or person, professional liability, and other special risks, including legal fees and expenses incurred in the defense or settlement claims of such damages.

(4) A policy or policies of insurance insuring the district against any liabilities to which it may be subject on account of damage or injury to persons or property, including liability for wrongful death.

Any instrument by which real property is acquired pursuant to this section shall identify the agency of the state that has the use and benefit of the real property as specified in section 5301.012 of the Revised Code.

Section 3358.09 | General assembly to support university - other sources.

• Effective: November 4, 1977
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 229 - 112th General Assembly

The general assembly shall support a state community college by such sums of money and in such manner as it may provide, but support may also be obtained from other sources.

Section 3358.10 | Application of community college provisions.

• Effective: June 27, 2005
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 126th General Assembly

Sections 3354.10, 3354.121, 3354.15, and 3354.16 of the Revised Code apply to state community college districts and their boards of trustees.

Section 3358.11 | Authority for board to propose tax levy.

• Effective: October 17, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 166 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) In the same manner as a tax may be proposed by a board of trustees of a community college district under section 3354.12 of the Revised Code, the board of trustees of a state community college district may adopt and certify a resolution to the board of elections of one or more of the counties comprising the state community college district directing the board of elections to place on the ballot at any general or special election the question of levying a tax in excess of the ten-mill limitation on all the taxable property in that county or those counties. The tax may be for any of the following purposes, as stated in the resolution:

(1) The acquisition of sites in that county or those counties;

(2) The erection, furnishing, and equipment of buildings in that county or those counties;

(3) The acquisition, construction, or improvement of any property in that county or those counties which the board of trustees of a state community college is authorized to acquire, construct, or improve and which has an estimated life or usefulness of five years or more as certified by the treasurer of the board of trustees.

The resolution shall declare that the proceeds of the levy or issue may be used solely within the county or counties in which the tax is levied and state the term of the tax, which may be for any term authorized for a tax levied under section 3354.12 of the Revised Code. The question of such a tax may not be submitted at more than two special elections held in any one calendar year. Levies for a continuing period of time adopted under this section may be reduced in accordance with section 5705.261 of the Revised Code.

The election shall be held, canvassed, and certified in the manner provided for the submission of a tax levy under section 3354.12 of the Revised Code. A tax levied under this section may be renewed in the same manner as a tax levied under section 3354.12 of the Revised Code or replaced in accordance with section 5705.192 of the Revised Code.

If electors approve the levy, the board of trustees may anticipate a fraction of the proceeds of the levy and may, from time to time, issue anticipation notes in the same manner and subject to the same limitations provided under section 3354.12 of the Revised Code.

(B) In accordance with Chapter 133. of the Revised Code, the board of trustees of a state community college district may adopt and certify a resolution to the board of elections of one or more of the counties comprising the district directing the board of elections to place on the ballot at any election authorized under section 133.18 of the Revised Code both of the following questions:

(1) The question of issuing bonds for paying all or part of the cost of the following:

(a) The purchase of sites in that county or those counties;

(b) The erection, furnishings, and equipment of buildings in that county or those counties;

(c) The acquisition or construction of any property in that county or those counties which the board of trustees is authorized to acquire or construct and which has an estimated life or usefulness of five years or more as certified by the treasurer of the board of trustees.

(2) The question of levying a tax in excess of the ten-mill limitation on all the taxable property in that county or those counties to pay the interest on and retire any bonds approved by the electors under division (B)(1) of this section.

The election shall be held, canvassed, and certified in the manner provided for the submission of a bond issuance and tax levy under section 3354.11 of the Revised Code. Bonds approved by electors under division (B)(1) of this section may be issued for one or more improvements which the district is authorized to acquire or construct, notwithstanding the fact that such improvements may not be for more than one purpose under Chapter 133. of the Revised Code.

Notes may be issued in anticipation of any bonds that may be approved by the electors under division (B)(1) of this section in the manner provided under section 133.22 of the Revised Code.

For the purpose of applying Chapter 133. of the Revised Code to division (B) of this section, the treasurer of the state community college district shall be considered to be the district's fiscal officer, and the board of trustees of the state community college district shall be considered to be the taxing authority.

(C) The board of trustees of a state community college district that levies a tax or proposes to levy a tax under division (A) or (B) of this section shall be considered to be a taxing authority, the county or counties in which the tax is levied shall be considered to be a subdivision, and the treasurer of the board of trustees shall be considered to be a fiscal officer for the purposes of Chapter 5705. of the Revised Code, except for section 5705.19 of the Revised Code.