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:
- Keep the constituents of the College District informed on issues impacting the College,
using multiple channels of communications.
- Invite the advice and counsel of constituents of the College District; and
- 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:
- The Board, the President and/or his/her designee(s) will establish working relationships
with government agencies and their staff.
- The Board may meet with the boards of governmental agencies to enhance communications
and working relationships.
- The President must keep Board members informed of legislation that may significantly
affect the College.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Practices that cause student, faculty, staff, and other members of the college community
to become involuntary audiences are prohibited.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- College employees will not engage in political activity when performing College responsibilities
or in a manner that interferes with the operations of the College.
- 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
login required Mott Community College Emergency Response and Preparedness Plan
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:
- The public relations programs should include the following kinds of activities:
- Publications for the information of College personnel and residents of the College
District;
- Coverage of College programs;
- Recognition of activities of outstanding faculty, staff, and students.
- 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.
- The public is encouraged to visit College facilities.
- 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).
- 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:
- The Board Chair, the President, and other designees of the President, are the official
spokespersons for the College.
- 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.
- The Board endorses the use of public service and television time to allow personal
appearances by Board members, faculty, and staff.
- 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:
- The President is responsible for the oversight of the lobbying effort.
- 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
