SB 83

Under existing law, public institutions of higher education are governed by boards of trustees, and the coordinating board for higher education in the state is the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, which consists of 10 commissioners

This bill would require each newly appointed or elected trustee or commissioner to complete eight hours of professional development during the first two years of service

Relating to boards of trustees of public four-year institutions of higher education and the Alabama Commission on Higher Education; to require each newly appointed or elected trustee or commissioner to complete eight hours of professional development during the first two years of service.

Section 1

(a) Each newly appointed or elected member of a board of trustees of a four-year public institution of higher education and commissioner of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education shall complete eight hours of professional development within the first two years after appointment or election. (b) The purpose of the professional development is to instill an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of college and university trustees and commissioners, as provided by state law and prescribed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Topics in the professional development shall include, but not be limited to, institutional finance, student success, and institutional compliance activities including institutional and programmatic accreditation. (c) One hour of professional development shall include instruction on the state ethics law as it relates to service as a trustee or commissioner. (d) The Alabama Commission on Higher Education, by rule, shall develop general parameters for professional development training which may include, but shall not be limited to, participation in national trustee conferences; commission sponsored training; specific institutional college, university, or system training; and training provided by the State Ethics Commission. (e) The Alabama Commission on Higher Education shall annually offer one professional development opportunity within the state for trustees and commissioners. (f) Each four-year institution of higher education, or university system, in the state shall annually report, and the Alabama Commission on Higher Education shall compile into a report, all of the following information: (1) The number of professional development hours completed by each new trustee and commissioner during the immediately preceding year and the total number of professional development hours completed since commencing service on the board or commission. (2) A summary of the professional development topics covered and hours completed for each topic. (g) A summary of the annual reports on trustee and commissioner professional development shall be posted on the website of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education. (h) It is the intent of the Legislature that constitutionally created boards of trustees comply with the requirements of this section.

Section 2

This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.