Chapter 3357:12-2 | Political and Prohibited Activities; Ethics

Rule 3357:12-2-02 | Political activities.

• Effective: March 18, 2015
• Promulgated Under: 111.15

(A) Membership on the faculty or staff of the college carries with it additional responsibilities of citizenship which reflects the educator's function as a source of informed, objective counsel. In discussing political matters in the college, faculty should proceed in a fair and scholarly manner. Faculty members must not use the classroom for the purpose of soliciting support of any political candidate, program, or organization.

(B) The college assumes no responsibility for the endorsement of a political candidate or cause by members of its faculty or staff. Except for the limited purpose of identifying the college as the employer of the faculty or staff member making a political endorsement, the name of the college is not to be connected with such an endorsement in any way.

(C) Employees of the college have the same fundamental civic responsibilities and privileges as other citizens. Among these are campaigning for an elective public office and holding an elective or appointive public office.

(D) Any employee who intends to campaign for an elective public office will notify the president in writing at the earliest possible moment of the office that he or she intends to seek, together with the decision as to whether he or she wishes to continue employment and under what terms and conditions.

(E) The president will meet with and discuss these matters with the employee involved and will present a proposed solution to the board for consideration. The essential element to be determined by the board is whether the activities proposed by the employee are compatible with the time requirements for fulfilling the employee's responsibilities to the college.

(F) In accordance with the law, the board will determine the terms and conditions under which the employee may continue employment as he or she seeks or holds such office. No employee will use college facilities, equipment, or supplies in connection with campaigning; nor will the employee discuss his campaign with college personnel or students during the working day; nor will the employee use any time during the working day for the campaigning process.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357
Amplifies: 3357

Rule 3357:12-2-03 | Prohibited activities.

• Effective: March 18, 2015
• Promulgated Under: 111.15

If an employee is arrested for an offense listed in the sections 3345.21 to 3345.26 of the Revised Code, the procedures set forth in these sections may be invoked to terminate, suspend, or impose disciplinary probation. In the event of termination, the employee may, in the discretion of the board of trustees, be re-employed by Zane state college but only upon the lapse of one calendar year following dismissal.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357
Amplifies: 3357

Rule 3357:12-2-04 | Ethics for faculty.

• Effective: March 18, 2015
• Promulgated Under: 111.15

(A) The instructor's primary responsibility to his/her subject is to state the truth as he/she sees it. To this end, the faculty devote their energies to developing and improving their scholarly competence. The faculty accept the obligation to exercise critical self discipline and judgment in using, extending, and transmitting knowledge. They practice intellectual honesty. Although he/she may follow subsidiary interests, these interests must never seriously hamper or compromise his/her freedom of inquiry.

(B) As a teacher, the faculty member encourages the free pursuit of learning in his/her students. Holding before them the best scholarly standards of their discipline, the faculty demonstrate respect for the student as an individual and adhere to their proper role as intellectual guides and counselors. They make every reasonable effort to foster honest academic conduct and to assure that the evaluation of students reflects their true merit. The faculty member respects the confidential nature of the relationship between teacher and student. He/she avoids any exploitation of students for private advantage and acknowledges significant assistance from them while protecting academic freedom.

(C) As a colleague, the faculty member has obligations that derive from common membership in the staff. He/she respects and defends the free inquiry of his/her associates. In exchange of criticism and ideas, the faculty always show due respect for the opinions of others.

(D) As members of the institution, faculty accept a share of responsibilities for the governance of the institution. The faculty seek to be effective teachers and scholars. Although faculty observe the stated regulations of the institution, provided they do not contravene academic freedom, they maintain the right to criticize and seek revision. He/she determines the amount and character of the work he/she does outside the institution with due regard to his/her paramount responsibilities within it. When considering the interruption or termination of his/her services, the faculty member recognizes the effect of that decision upon the program of the college and gives due notice of his/her intentions.

(E) As members of the community, faculty members have the rights and obligations of any citizen. They measure the urgency of these obligations in the light of their responsibilities to their subject and to their students, to the profession, and to the college. As citizens engaged in a profession that depends upon freedom for its health and integrity, college instructors have a particular obligation to promote conditions of free inquiry and public understanding of the college and of technical education adapted from "Statement on Professional Ethics," American association of university professors.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357
Amplifies: 3357

Rule 3357:12-2-05 | Ethics for staff.

• Effective: March 18, 2015
• Promulgated Under: 111.15

(A) All staff members must comply with all applicable Ohio ethics laws.

(B) The staff member should be courteous, pleasant, and just in all relationships.

(C) Desirable ethical standards require cordial relations between each staff member.

(D) The conduct of the staff member should conform to accepted patterns of behavior.

(E) Unfavorable criticism of associates should be avoided except when made to proper officials under proper circumstances.

(F) Reports/communications regarding other staff members should be truthful and confidential.

(G) Official business should be transacted only through properly designated officials.

(H) The responsibility for reporting all matters harmful to the welfare of the college rests upon each staff member.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357
Amplifies: 3357

Rule 3357:12-2-06 | Ethics policy guidelines from Ohio ethics laws.

• Effective: March 18, 2015
• Promulgated Under: 111.15

(A) Policy statement

It is the policy of the board to carry out its mission in accordance with the strictest ethical guidelines and to ensure that board members and employees conduct themselves in a manner that fosters public confidence in the integrity of the board, its processes, and its accomplishments.

(B) General standards of ethical conduct

(1) Board officials and employees must, at all times, abide by protections to the public embodied in Ohio's ethics laws, as found in Chapters 102. and 2921. of the Revised Code, and as interpreted by the Ohio ethics commission and Ohio courts. A copy of these laws is provided by the board, and receipt acknowledged, as required in division (D) of section 102.09 of the Revised Code. Members and employees must conduct themselves, at all times, in a manner that avoids favoritism, bias, and the appearance of impropriety.

(2) A general summary of the restraints upon the conduct of all members and employees includes, but is not limited to, those listed below. No member or employee shall:

(a) Solicit or accept anything of value from anyone doing business with the board;

(b) Solicit or accept employment from anyone doing business with the board, unless the official or employee completely withdraws from board activity regarding the party offering employment, and the board approves the withdrawal;

(c) Use his or her public position to obtain benefits for the official or employee, a family member, or anyone with whom the official or employee has a business or employment relationship;

(d) Be paid or accept any form of compensation for personal services rendered on a matter before, or sells goods or services to, the board;

(e) Be paid or accept any form of compensation for personal services rendered on a matter before, or sell, except by competitive bid goods or services to, any state agency other than the board, unless the member or employee first discloses the services or sales and withdraws from matters before the board that directly affect officials and employees of the other state agency, as directed in section 102.04 of the Revised Code;

(f) Hold or benefit from a contract with, authorized by, or approved by, the board, the ethics law does except some limited stockholdings, and some contracts objectively shown as the lowest cost services, where all criteria under section 2921.42 of the Revised Code are met);

(g) Vote, authorize, recommend, or in any other way use his or her position to secure approval of a board contract including employment or personal services in which the official or employee, a family member, or anyone with whom the official or employee has a business or employment relationship, has an interest;

(h) Solicit or accept honoraria as referenced in division (H) of sections 102.01 and 102.03 of the Revised Code;

(i) During public service, and for one year after leaving public service, represent any person, in any fashion, before any public agency, with respect to a matter in which the official or employee personally participated while serving with the board;

(j) Use or disclose confidential information protected by law, unless appropriately authorized; or

(k) Use, or authorize the use of, his or her title, the name "Muskingum Area Technical College Board," "Zane State College Board," "MATC Board," or "ZSC Board," or the board's logo in a manner that suggests impropriety, favoritism, or bias by the board or the official or employee.

(3) For purposes of this policy:

(a) Anything of value includes anything of monetary value, including, but not limited to, money, gifts, food or beverages, social event tickets and expenses, travel expenses, golf outings, consulting fees, compensation, or employment. "Value" means worth greater than de minimis or nominal.

(b) Anyone doing business with the board includes, but is not limited to, any person, corporation, or other party that is doing or seeking to do business with, regulated by, or has interests before the board.

(4) Financial disclosure

Every board member or employee required to file a financial disclosure statement must file a complete and accurate statement with the ethics commission by April fifteenth of each year. Any member or employee appointed, or employed to a filing position after February 15 and required to file a financial disclosure statement must file a statement within ninety days of appointment or employment.

(5) Assistance

The ethics commission is available to provide advice and assistance regarding the application of the ethics law and related statutes. The commission can be contacted at 614-466-7090. The commission's web site address is: www.ethics.ohio.gov. board counsel and counsel for the governor's office are available to answer questions involving this policy.

(6) Penalties

Failure of any board official or employee to abide by this ethics policy, or to comply with the ethics law and related statutes, will result in discipline, which may include dismissal, as well as any potential civil or criminal sanctions under the law.

(7) Changes

This policy may be changed only by a majority vote of the board.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357
Amplifies: 3357