Resolution Concerning Employment of Current or Former Public Elected Officials and Executives of Governmental Agencies
Approved: September 17, 2009; Revised April 22, 2022
Scheduled Review Date: April 2027
WHEREAS, ¹ÏÉñÍø has enjoyed a strong and appropriate relationship with elected officials at all levels of government; local, state, and federal; and
WHEREAS, ¹ÏÉñÍø has enjoyed strong and appropriate relationships with business leaders, contractors, foundation, and funding agency directors; and
WHEREAS, the unique nature of elected office and executive leadership provides an expertise to otherwise qualified individuals that fit within the curriculum of the colleges within the University; and
WHEREAS, ¹ÏÉñÍø has in the past employed elected and former elected officials in teaching and administrative positions; for example, former United States Congressman William Whitehurst in teaching and former United States Senator William Spong as interim President; and
WHEREAS, not withstanding the pedagogical benefits to students, hiring, or contracting practices with a current or former elected official, or executives of governmental agencies doing business with ¹ÏÉñÍø must be transparent and clearly defined;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that all future employment of persons by the University, in a non-tenure track position, who serve as elected public officials, or former elected officials at any level of government, and executives of governmental agencies, shall occur only on condition that the appropriate hiring and/or procurement processes have been carefully and faithfully followed in each case; and
BE IT RESOLVED, that all such proposed hires or contracts as aforesaid, shall require approval of the President, or his specific designee, and shall be brought to the attention of the Board of Visitorsto ensure compliance with applicable state and federal law, and University requirements; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that University Counsel is directed to seek amendments to all University contracts with affiliated corporations, to require that any hire of, or contract with, elected officials, former elected officials, and executives of governmental agencies be scrutinized with special care to ensure that each such hire is open, appropriate, and necessary to the operation of the affiliated corporation.