Preface
The University of Vermont is a distinguished institution with a proud history,
based on a strong intellectual community and a concern for the quality of life
in the communities that it serves. Its aspirations reflect its values, which
include a commitment to rigorous intellectual inquiry and critical thinking,
and a willingness to address difficult societal issues with honesty, civility,
and practicality. This University community values respect, integrity, innovation,
openness, justice, and responsibility and promotes the intellectual capacity
to engage in ethical decision making.
Under the University Charter, the Board of Trustees (“the Board”)
has ultimate responsibility for the entire management and control of the affairs
and property of the institution “and all things relating thereto”.
In keeping with its fiduciary role, and of necessity, it delegates responsibility
for institutional management and operations to the President and the administration,
while retaining responsibility for approval of strategic plans and other major
institutional commitments, whether of a policy or financial nature.
With these allocations of authority in mind, the Board will, as explained below,
provide members of the public with a reasonable opportunity to express opinions
on matters it considers during meetings as long as order is maintained.
(1) Requests to address the Board must be made in writing through the Assistant Secretary of the Board at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to a scheduled meeting of the Board. In his or her sole discretion, the Board Chair may also accommodate persons who sign up on a stand-by list maintained by the Assistant Secretary to request an opportunity to comment less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the meeting by submitting the Public Comment Protocol Form.
(2) Speakers may submit to the Assistant Secretary of the Board written information to be distributed to the Board. In such event, the speaker is responsible for bringing an adequate number of copies for distribution (a minimum of thirty (30) copies).
(3) At the commencement of remarks, each speaker shall identify him or herself; any relevant title; the group or organization, if any, for which he or she serves as spokesperson; any personal or business interest in the subject matter as to which comment will be made; and the topic to be addressed. The Board Chair will recognize each speaker consecutively, maintain order, and require adherence to a three-minute maximum time limit allotted to each speaker. The Chair retains discretion to decline a request to comment if an individual, group, or organization has previously appeared before the Board regarding the same matter.
(4) Because the public comment session does not involve matters on the Board agenda, no action shall or may be taken by the Board at such sessions. In his or her discretion, the Board Chair may refer a matter raised during public comment for subsequent response by the President or the President’s designee. The Board Chair may also request or permit comment by members of the administration present at the session.
(5) To ensure that the scheduled business of the Board is conducted in a timely manner pursuant to the published agenda, the time allotted to the comment session shall not be enlarged by the Board Chair. Persons whose comments were not heard due to time constraints are encouraged to communicate in writing with Trustees, the President, or appropriate Vice Presidents.
