Table of Contents

8000 - Public, Organizational, Governmental and Media Relations

8001 Goals and Objectives - MCL, 389.121(1)

8100 Governmental Relations

8101 Governmental Relations Philosophy

8200 Political Organizations

8201 Political Activity

8300 Public and Media Relations

8310 Public Relations and Information
8320 Freedom of Information
8330 Press Releases / Media Contacts
8340 Personnel Directory

8400 Lobbying

8401 MCC Lobbying Efforts

8001 Goals and Objectives

General: Educational public relations is a process of communication between the Board, the College District, and its internal and external constituents.

Educational public relations is a management function used to interpret public attitudes, identify policies and procedures of the College with the public interest, and execute a program of action to encourage public involvement, and to earn public understanding and acceptance of College issues.

The Board seeks to establish a satisfactory working relationship with all governmental, educational, and private agencies having an interest in building capacity in the community.

The following basic policy statements apply:

The Board, through the President and/or his/her designee(s), will:

  1. Keep the constituents of the College District informed on issues impacting the College, using multiple channels of communications.
  2. Invite the advice and counsel of constituents of the College District; and
  3. Solicit input from the College District and other constituents through advisory committees appointed by the Board.

LEGAL REF: MCL 389.103 and 121, as amended

Approved: May 22, 2000
Reviewed: December 14, 2009
Approved: January 25, 2010

8100 Governmental Relations

8101 Governmental Relations Philosophy

General: In order to establish a good working relationship with all governmental agencies, the Board establishes the following:

  1. The Board, the President and/or his/her designee(s) will establish working relationships with government agencies and their staff.
  2. The Board may meet with the boards of governmental agencies to enhance communications and working relationships.
  3. The President must keep Board members informed of legislation that may significantly affect the College.
  4. The Board may take positions on issues and communicate those positions to legislators either directly or through its memberships in state and national professional organizations.
  5. Where appropriate, the Board may authorize individual members to take an active role in influencing legislation affecting the College, in conjunction with the Administration and all applicable Board policies.

LEGAL REF: Michigan Constitution, Article VII, §28, MCL 389.103, 121 and 124, as amended; MCL 333.2433, 2434 and 2437, as amended, MCL 4.411 et seq., as amended, 2USC 1601-1612, as amended

Approved: College Relations Handbook
Approved: May 22, 2000
Reviewed: December 14, 2009
Approved: January 25, 2010

8200 Political Organizations

8201 Political Activity

General: The Board supports the right of students, faculty, staff, and other members of the College community to free expression, and also recognizes its responsibility to ensure a college environment and climate conducive to teaching and learning. As such, the Board establishes the following guidelines as it relates to activity on College grounds, College network systems, or media outlets, including official social media accounts developed to represent the College, by political candidates, parties, and campaigns, or political/social advocacy organizations, including civil disturbances/demonstrations.

  1. Political candidates/parties/campaigns, or official representatives of political/social advocacy organizations, may be permitted to conduct activities in College buildings or on College property during normal instructional hours, provided all pertinent College policies and procedures are adhered to, and that the activity does not create a significant disruption of College classes, programs or activities, or the operation of College facilities.
  2. Practices that cause student, faculty, staff, and other members of the college community to become involuntary audiences are prohibited.
  3. Political candidates/parties/campaigns, or official representatives of political/social advocacy organizations, may be invited, as part of the educational process, by faculty, staff, or student organizations (with appropriate faculty/staff approval). Opportunities to speak at the College will be provided on an equal basis.
  4. Political candidates/parties/campaigns, or official representatives of political/social advocacy organizations may use College facilities in accordance with Board policies. College facilities may not be used for campaign fundraising purposes.
  5. Use of College facilities or providing opportunities to speak at the College or at College events is not to be interpreted as support or endorsement by the College.
  6. Peaceful and non-obstructive civil disturbances/demonstrations on College grounds including, but not limited to, marches and rallies, may be permitted, provided all pertinent College policies and procedures are adhered to.
  7. College employees will not engage in political activity when performing College responsibilities or in a manner that interferes with the operations of the College.
  8. Trustees and College employees who do engage in political activity outside of their College duties and responsibilities must make it clear that their actions are an expression of their own individual feelings and do not represent the College’s position as an institution.

LEGAL REF: MCL 389.103 and 121, as amended; MCL 169.201 et seq., as amended

REF: American Council on Education Memorandum on Political Campaign-related Activities of and at Colleges and Universities

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Approved: May 22, 2000
Reviewed: December 14, 2009
Approved: January 25, 2010
Reviewed: November 28, 2016
Revised: January 23, 2017

8300 Public and Media Relations

8310 Public Relations and Information

General: The Board and all employees of the College should actively promote goodwill toward the College among constituent districts and the general public. The goal is to develop and maintain an effective means of communication, marketing and general support of public education to heighten citizen support and understanding of higher education in Genesee County and across the region.

The following basic policy statements apply:

  1. The public relations programs should include the following kinds of activities:
    1. Publications for the information of College personnel and residents of the College District;
    2. Coverage of College programs;
    3. Recognition of activities of outstanding faculty, staff, and students.
  2. Representatives of the news media will be invited to attend all regular and special meetings of the Board. Those unable to attend meetings may obtain information about Board meetings by contacting the President’s Office or the Marketing/Public Information Office.
  3. The public is encouraged to visit College facilities.
  4. News releases regarding operation, activities, and College functions may be issued to the news media. Releases, and their content, will be at the direction of the President and/or his/her designee(s).
  5. Paid advertising will be under the direct supervision of the President and/or his/her designee(s).

LEGAL REF: MCL 389.103 and 121, as amended

Approved: May 22, 2000
Reviewed: December 14, 2009
Approved: January 25, 2010

8320 Freedom of Information

General: The Board requires the President and/or his/her designee(s) to comply with the Michigan Freedom of Information Act.

LEGAL REF: P.A. 553 of 1996, as amended

Approved: May 22, 2000
Reviewed: December 14, 2009
Approved: January 25, 2010

8330 Press Releases/Media Contacts

General: Press releases and media contacts expose the College to public scrutiny, therefore, the quality and accuracy of information provided to the media is essential to maintain the image of the College.

The following basic policy statements apply:

  1. The Board Chair, the President, and other designees of the President, are the official spokespersons for the College.
  2. The President or his/her designee(s) must develop an administrative operating procedure to detail staff responsibility in the preparation of materials for use with the media, establish an approval process for all releases, and for dealing with the media.
  3. The Board endorses the use of public service and television time to allow personal appearances by Board members, faculty, and staff.
  4. When individuals respond to contact from members of the media without authorization from the President or his/her designee(s), these individuals are fully responsible for their remarks.

LEGAL REF: MCL 389.103, 121 and 124, as amended

Approved: College Relations Handbook
Approved: May 22, 2000
Reviewed: December 14, 2009
Approved: January 25, 2010

8340 Personnel Directory

General: A College directory identifying personnel by assignment, division/department and program will be developed by the College.

Distribution of College directories for political or commercial use is prohibited.

LEGAL REF: MCL 15.231 et seq., as amended; MCL 169.201 et seq., as amended

Approved: College Relations Handbook
Approved: May 22, 2000
Reviewed: December 14, 2009
Approved: January 25, 2010

8400 Lobbying

8401 MCC Lobbying Efforts

General: The Board recognizes the importance of ongoing communication with public officials at the local, state, and national levels. This communication should be designed to favorably position the College in matters of funding and policy.

The following basic policy statements apply:

  1. The President is responsible for the oversight of the lobbying effort.
  2. The President may make personal contacts or provide staff or consultants to communicate and advocate for the College at the local, state and national levels.

LEGAL REF: Carl Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Educational Act, Michigan Lobby Act, MCL 4.412

Reviewed: December 14, 2009
Approved: January 25, 2010