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LCC trustees work to turn practices into bylaws

December 4, 2001

The Lansing Community College Board of Trustees will meet at noon today to ink out some familiar ground rules.

The group has been operating without bylaws for several years after changing to more of a forum type of governing body. But about six months ago, the college created a committee to look into changing and updating the bylaws, board Chairman Brian Jeffries said.

“Basically, we’re taking our current practices and making them into bylaws,” he said. “There are no real major changes coming up, but a number of concerns have come up. This way we’ll be providing a framework and also setting out how a trustee is expected to act.”

Jeffries said one of the main reasons for the change is that the Community College Act has changed since the last bylaws were written.

“This is finally in black and white and on paper,” Jeffries said. “Now we have set out guidelines instead of just reviewing what past practices we have followed.”

The meeting, held in the Herrmann Conference Center at LCC, is open to the public.

Specific action on the bylaws will not be taken until a formal meeting Dec. 10.

Brian Jackson, LCC spokesman, said any concern over the new bylaws is still a little early.

“All this is is a draft form,” he said. “The board will debate it and discuss it because they have that right, it’s their right to decide within the confines of the state law.”

But Trustee Todd Heywood said he doesn’t think the new bylaws are as cut and dry as they seem.

While he is encouraged by their creation, he said one of the new laws is merely a way to quiet differing perspectives on the board. The bylaw in question would set the board chairman as the only member allowed to take media calls.

“The goal is to speak with one voice on all college matters,” he said. “The important thing is when we talk about a unified voice we should be talking about it after we take a vote.

“Board members should be able to voice their own opinions throughout the long debating time. I have an obligation and responsibility as an elected official to voice to my constituents what I believe on different issues before the board. How else can I do that without going to the media?”

But Jeffries said the potential bylaw is not meant to be a gag order of any kind.

“There is usually a reference of who should speak to the press on any board or in any organization,” he said. “The concern is that when the board speaks we speak as one. We’re trying to prevent individual opinions from appearing like the voice of the board.

“If I get a call from the media about an issue here regarding (a specific issue) I would refer the person to Trustee (Kathy) Pelleran if she is the one most knowledgeable.”

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