The Governance & Administration Committee is one of seven committees that will assist NKU in conducting the self-studies necessary to prepare its Compliance Certification as part of the SACS reaffirmation process. Each committee has been assigned a different set of Core Requirements, Comprehensive Standards, and Federal Requirements on which to focus. Its analysis will be completed by the end of spring semester 2008.

 
Dr. Carol Bredemeyer, associate professor of library services and assistant director of faculty services for the Chase College of Law Library, is chairing the Governance & Administration Committee. She can be contacted by phone at extension 5395 or by email at bredemeyer@nku.edu.

Other committee members include:

Dr. Carrie McCoy (School of Nursing & Health Professions)
Dr. Gaut Ragsdale (Communication Department)

This committee will address the university's compliance with the following SACS requirements and standards:

SACS Core Requirements

2.1	The institution has degree-granting authority from the appropriate government agency or agencies.
2.2	The institution has a governing board of at least five members that is the legal body with specific authority over the institution. The board is an active policy-making body for the institution and is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the financial resources of the institution are adequate to provide a sound educational program. The board is not controlled by a minority of board members or by organizations or interests separate from it. Both the presiding officer of the board and a majority of other voting members of the board are free of any contractual, employment, or personal or familial financial interest in the institution. A military institution authorized and operated by the federal government to award degrees has a public board on which both the presiding officer and a majority of the other members are neither civilian employees of the military nor active/retired military. The board has broad and significant influence upon the institution’s programs and operations, plays an active role in policy-making, and ensures that the financial resources of the institution are used to provide a sound educational program. The board is not controlled by a minority of board members or by organizations or interests separate from the board except as specified by the authorizing legislation. Both the presiding officer of the board and a majority of other voting board members are free of any contractual, employment, or personal or familial financial interest in the institution.
2.3	The institution has a chief executive officer whose primary responsibility is to the institution and who is not the presiding officer of the board.
2.4	The institution has a clearly defined and published mission statement specific to the institution and appropriate to an institution of higher education, addressing teaching and learning and, where applicable, research, and public service.

SACS Comprehensive Standards

3.1.1	The mission statement is current and comprehensive, accurately guides the institution’s operations, is periodically reviewed and updated, is approved by the governing board, and is communicated to the institution’s constituencies. (Responsibility for this standard is shared with the Communication with Constituencies Committee.)
3.2.1	The legal authority and operating control of the institution are clearly defined for the following areas within the institution’s governance structure:    3.2.2.1 institution’s mission;    3.2.2.2 fiscal stability of the institution;    3.2.2.3 institutional policy, including policies concerning related and affiliated corporate entities and all auxiliary services; and    3.2.2.4 related foundations (athletic, research, etc.) and other corporate entities whose primary purpose is to support the institution and/or its programs.
3.2.3	The board has a policy addressing conflict of interest.
3.2.4	The governing board is free from undue influence from political, religious, or other external bodies, and protects the institution from such influence.
3.2.5	The governing board has a policy whereby members can be dismissed only for appropriate reasons and by a fair process.
3.2.6	There is a clear and appropriate distinction, in writing and practice, between the policy-making functions of the governing board and the responsibility of the administration and faculty to administer and implement policy.
3.2.7	The institution has a clearly defined and published organizational structure that delineates responsibility for the administration of policies.
3.2.8	The institution has qualified administrative and academic officers and staff with the experience, competence, and capacity to lead the institution.
3.2.9	The institution defines and publishes policies regarding appointment and employment of faculty and staff.
3.2.10	The institution evaluates the effectiveness of its administrators, including the chief executive officer, on a periodic basis.
3.2.11	The institution’s chief executive officer has ultimate responsibility for, and exercises appropriate administrative and fiscal control over, the institution’s intercollegiate athletics program.
3.2.12	The institution’s chief executive officer has ultimate control of the institution’s fund-raising activities.
3.2.13	An institution-related foundation, not controlled by the institution, has a contractual or other formal agreement that (a) accurately describes the relationship between the institution and the foundation, and (b) describes any liability associated with that relationship. In all cases, the institution ensures that the relationship is consistent with its mission.
3.2.14	The institution’s policies are clear concerning ownership of materials, compensation, copyright issues, and the use of revenue derived from the creation and production of all intellectual property. This applies to students, faculty, and staff.
3.12.1	The institution notifies the Commission of changes in accordance with the substantive change policy and, when required, seeks approval prior to the initiation of changes.