Policies

SCC is dedicated to the fundamental characteristics of accreditation which include “a balanced governing structure designed to promote institutional integrity, autonomy, and flexibility of operation,” as described by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The College Board of Trustees endorses the concept of shared governance in higher education. The intent of shared governance is to remain independent of external influence other than federal or state laws and accreditation requirements. Faculty, staff, administrators, and students have rights and responsibilities to independently administer the operations of the college and implement board policy. 

Shared governance at SCC is exercised through the following representative groups:

Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate is a representative body comprised of full-time faculty members from each of the three academic Schools. Faculty Senate maintains its bylaws to govern itself. There is no oversight of Faculty Senate governance by ICore, the Institutional Effectiveness Council, or the Executive Leadership Team. Faculty Senate members serve on other committees to provide faculty leadership and communication.

Staff Council

Staff Council is a representative body comprised of full-time staff members from each of the administrative divisions of SCC. Staff Council maintains its bylaws to govern itself. There is no oversight of Staff Council governance by ICore, the Institutional Effectiveness Council, or the Executive Leadership Team. Staff Council members serve on other committees to provide staff leadership and communication.

Student Government Association (SGA)

Student organizations enrich academics, provide leadership opportunities and growth in employability skills, and encourage co-curricular involvement and civic responsibility. Providing access to student organizations is an evidence-based approach to increase student achievement due to students’ increased sense of belonging to the college. (Fu, et al. (2024). The effect of college students' participation in club activities on their academic performance. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781032676043-84.)

SGA is organized by students as the governance of student organizations. The SGA bylaws shall be reviewed annually by the Vice President of Institutional Advancement. Students enrolled at Stanly Community College who meet the requirements of the SGA bylaws have the rights of free association and free speech, including associative speech, to participate in college student organizations, and SCC employees shall not infringe those rights.

In addition, the State of North Carolina asserts legal responsibilities for the protection of minor children. Under the laws governing public schools in North Carolina, the local educational agency must “[e]stablish a process for parents to learn about the nature and purpose of clubs and activities offered at their child's school, including both curricular and extracurricular activities.” This requirement is not binding on community colleges in North Carolina. Under Leon’s Law and N.C. Gen. Stat. § 115D-10.80, parents or legal guardian have the right to all educational records, including extracurricular activities, for their minor child.

References:

Chapter 114A of the North Carolina General Statues (hereinafter G.S.). Parents’ Bill of Rights.

N.C. G.S. § 115C-76.35. Public school unit policies to increase parental involvement. 

N.C. S.L. 2025-46, § 2(b). Leon’s Law. (codified at N.C.G.S. § 115D-10.80. Education records of minor students.)

The Principles of Accreditation Foundations for Quality Enhancement; SACSCOC

SACSCOC Standard 4.2 (Governing Board; Board/administrative distinction and shared governance)

SACSCOC Standard 6 (Faculty)

SACSCOC Standard 10.4 (Academic governance)

Fu, et al. (2024). The effect of college students' participation in club activities on their academic performance. In Addressing Global Challenges - Exploring Socio-Cultural Dynamics and Sustainable Solutions in a Changing World (pp.614-621)

 https://doi.org/10.1201/9781032676043-84.