Policy 7410J

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT BOARD MEETINGS

Reference: W.S. § 16-4-403 (b), 16-4-406

The Board shall provide opportunities for members of the public to participate in the business of the Board.  Audience participation and communications from the public will be a standard part of the agenda for regular meetings.

No action may be taken by the Board on items presented by a member of the public that are not on the Board agenda to provide an opportunity for due consideration.

Speakers must be recognized by the Board President and will observe Board policy concerning complaints against College personnel as specified in Policy 7610A.  Each speaker will be allowed a maximum of 5 minutes.  Thirty minutes shall be the maximum time allotted for public speakers on any one subject regardless of the number of speakers at any one Board meeting.  At the discretion of the majority of the Board, these time limits may be extended.  Members of the public who wish to address the Board via video conferencing must notify the Executive Assistant to the President/Board of Trustees at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the meeting.

Decorum
Speakers are expected to conduct themselves with civility and in a manner appropriate to the setting.  To that end, the following will be ruled out of order by the Board president:

  • Remarks that violate Board Policy 7610A, concerning complaints against College Personnel
  • Profanity, obscenity and other hateful or offensive language
  • Physical violence and/or threats of physical violence
  • Behavior that disrupts the orderly conduct of the Board meeting

The Board is legally empowered to take appropriate actions if an individual or group disrupts a meeting including:

  • Removal of the person(s) or group causing the disturbance
  • Recess the Meeting and continue at another location
  • Appeal to Law Enforcement agencies

Adopted: January 26, 1989
Reformatted: May 3, 2010
Revised: November 13, 2014
Revised: September 8, 2022

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