I.C. THE SYSTEM'S ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION

I.C.1. Administrative Structure

I.C.1.01. Policy

The System's Board of Trustees adopts policies to direct the System to accomplish its mission. The Chancellor is the System's Chief Executive Officer. The Chancellor implements policies adopted by the Board and is the only employee reporting directly to the Board.

The Chancellor defines appropriate reporting lines in the System's line-and-staff organization. The System creates and maintains councils and committee structures that foster opportunities for employees, students, and others to have input into the System's decision making process.

I.C.1.02. Definitions

(a)   Board means the Board of Trustees with ultimate legal authority to govern the System.

(b)  Board Policy (or Policy) means written statements adopted by the Board to direct and guide the System, as found in the System's official policy manual.

(c)   Chancellor’s Procedure (or Procedure) means directions approved by the Chancellor for implementing Policy, as found in the Chancellor’s official procedure compilation maintained by the Chancellor’s designee.

(d)  Participatory Governance means the process whereby faculty and staff have the opportunity and the responsibility to provide input, ask questions, and pose possible outcomes during the information-gathering phase of decision making.

I.C.1.03. Policies and Procedures

The Chancellor is the final authority on Procedure, but the ultimate authority in the System's governance structure is the Board, and final decisions on governance matters always rest with the Board. When Policy and Procedure conflict, Policy always controls. When any System or office document conflicts with the Chancellor’s Procedures, the Chancellor’s Procedures always control.

I.C.1.04. Construing Policy and Procedure

The standards in the Code Construction Act, Chapter 311, Government Code, apply when construing Board Policy or the Chancellor’s Procedures. The Board has the final authority to interpret Board policy.

I.C.1.05. Participatory Governance

Participatory Governance applies to Policies and Procedures considered, formulated, and presented for adoption and support. This helps the Board and System to adequately consider issues from all viewpoints. Participatory Governance requires System officers, faculty, and staff to develop an environment of transparency, mutual trust, and mutual respect. The Faculty Senate Presidents shall meet with the Chancellor to discuss issues important to faculty before each regularly scheduled Board meeting from September to May.

The Faculty Council represents the entire faculty as an advisory body only and has no final
decision-making authority. The Faculty Council’s membership:

(a) Ensures adequate representation of each college;
(b) Requires all members to be faculty members; and
(c) Limits the number of members to not more than 60 with at least two representatives from
each college, including:
    1. One member appointed by the Chancellor; and
    2. The remaining members elected by a vote of the faculty of the member’s respective
    college.

The Faculty Council shall follow all Texas Education Section 51.3522 requirements, which the
Chancellor shall detail via Chancellor Procedures.

LSCS Policy Manual Section adopted by the Board of Trustees on December 1, 2016