Governing Organizations

Board of Trustees. Guilford College is chartered by the State of North Carolina to a Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall have and exercise those corporate powers prescribed by law. It exercises those corporate powers through its general, academic, and financial policy making functions and its responsibility for the college's financial health and welfare. The Board of Trustees shall exercise ultimate institutional authority as set forth in its bylaws and in such other board policy documents it deems to be appropriate. A more detailed description of the scope of authority and particular responsibilities can be found in the Board of Trustees' bylaws. The board meets three times a year.

President. The president serves at the pleasure of the board for such term, compensation and with such other terms of employment as the board shall determine. The president shall be the college's chief executive officer as detailed in the college's organizational chart. The president's authority is vested through the board and includes responsibilities for all college educational and managerial affairs. Administration of the college shall be delegated to the president of the college and through the president to other administrative officers who shall have authority to make and enforce all necessary regulations for the internal governance of the institution and shall direct and be responsible for the use of its facilities and equipment.

Students' Role in College Governance. One of Guilford's most distinctive characteristics is its commitment to student participation in institutional decision-making. Consistent with its Quaker heritage, the college conducts its business based on the premise that all voices have value and worth in the search for truth. As a result, students have representation on all institutional, administrative, faculty and board level committees except those dealing with confidential personnel and/or student matters. By virtue of this involvement, students are able to examine and strengthen their own values while striving with others to improve the common good. This does not always mean that each student concern or idea is automatically incorporated but it does mean that student voice is important in college governance. Students are encouraged to utilize their elected Community Senate to voice their issues, ideas and concerns.

Community Senate. The foundation of student government at Guilford is a representative Community Senate. This body, within the policies and regulations established by the Board of Trustees, derives authority from the dean for campus life to govern the student body. Its primary function is to serve as the voice of the traditional student body. They select students to serve on college and board of trustees committees to ensure student representation. The Community Senate is also responsible for the disbursement of student activity fees and recommendations regarding the campus judicial system at the authorization of the chief student affairs officer of the college. The senate executive board is elected in the spring and senators are selected in the fall of each year. Students are encouraged to bring issues, concerns and questions regarding campus life to the Community Senate for discussion and action. Community Senate proposals for college policy change are referred to the dean for campus life who forwards them to the appropriate vice president or dean for consideration and possible implementation.

Student Union Programming Board. Student social activities are organized and coordinated by an elected group of students. The Student Union Programming Board is composed of these officers and other student volunteers organized into committees; it is advised by the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership. This body derives its authority from the Community Senate.

Continuing Education Student Government Association. The Continuing Education Student Government Association (SGA) is composed of all adult students registered for college credit work through the Center for Continuing Education. The executive board derives its authority from the dean for continuing education and is responsible for the allocation of funds derived from continuing education student activity fees. The association exists to serve the welfare and interests of its members. It works toward the establishment of a community atmosphere supportive of the continuing education of adults.