Each employee of Carteret Community College retains all rights and obligations of citizenship provided in the Constitution and laws of the State of North Carolina and the United States of America. Therefore, the Board of Trustees encourages employees of the College to exercise their rights and obligations of citizenship.
All College employees have the right to freely express their views on any subject, including advocacy for or against candidates for public office and for or against matters of contemporary political debate, and legislative or social action issues. In exercising these rights, all activities must be conducted independent of College employment. The political opinions assumed by employees are personal ones, and employees must ensure that they do not imply that such opinions are endorsed by the College. College employees may not use the authority of their position or the resources of the College to secure support for, or to oppose any person or issue in an election, legislative process or other matters of contemporary political or social debate. College employees may not coerce, solicit or compel another College employee to support or contribute to a political candidate, party, issue or cause.
The College shall not solicit nor require an employee or applicant for employment to affirmatively ascribe to or opine about beliefs, affiliations, ideals or principles regarding matters of contemporary political debate or social action as a condition to employment or professional advancement.
Employees who seek public office or choose to actively participate in a political campaign are subject to the following provisions:
- Employees shall not actively campaign for political office or engage in political activity while on duty or within any period of time during which they are expected to perform services for which compensation from the College is rendered.
- Employees shall not utilize College funds, supplies, or vehicles to secure support for or opposition to any candidate in any election, or to affect the outcome of party nominations.
- Employees shall not use any promise or personal preferential treatment or threat of loss to encourage or coerce any employee, student, community partner, or guest of the College to support or contribute to any political issue, candidate, or party.
Employees who decide to run for public office shall notify the Board of Trustees through the President of their intentions to run and certify that they will comply with College policy as outlined above for the duration of their campaign. Employees elected to or appointed to a part time public office shall notify the Board of Trustees through the President and certify that their service will not interfere with the employee’s regular duties and that no College resources will be used to secure or perform the duties of the elected or appointed this position. Employees who are elected or appointed to a full-time public office shall be required to take leave of absence without pay upon assuming that office. The length of the leave shall be determined by the Board of Trustees.
Employees who are elected or appointed to a full-time public office shall be required to take a leave of absence without pay upon assuming that office. The length of the leave shall be determined by the President.
In the event the President chooses to run for or accept appointment to any public office, these rules also apply. Additionally, the Board of Trustees shall inform the State Board of Community Colleges.
Definition of Terms:
- College resources are considered to be money, services, supplies, equipment, information technology resources, email accounts, vehicles, and other funds, or property owned or controlled by the College.
- Public Office means any national, state, or local governmental position of public trust and responsibility, whether elective or appointive, which is created or prescribed or recognized by constitution, statute or ordinance.
- Membership in the General Assembly is a full-time public office under this policy