Comprehensive Standards - Governance & Administration

3.2.5: Board Dismissal

7.6.09

The governing board has a policy whereby members can be dismissed only for appropriate reasons and by a fair process.

Compliance

Partial Compliance

Non-compliance

NARRATIVE:

Trustees of the University of South Florida Board of Trustees and the University of South Florida St. Petersburg Campus Board are deemed state officers by Florida Statute [1]. As such, they are subject to the Florida Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees for purposes of suspension and removal. The reasons for dismissal and due process procedures are outlined in the state constitution.

Article IV, Section 7 of the Constitution of the State of Florida stipulates that the Governor may suspend a state officer for malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, drunkenness, incompetence, permanent inability to perform official duties, or commission of a felony [2]. The State Senate may, under due process proceedings prescribed by law, remove or reinstate the suspended official. These processes are detailed in Florida Statute.

The Florida Board of Governors adopted a resolution [3] on January 7, 2003, prescribing the powers and responsibilities of State University System boards of trustees. The resolution asserts that the instance of a board member missing three consecutive meetings constitutes grounds for dismissal.

The Operating Procedures of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg Campus Board [4] stipulate that a member can be removed for missing three consecutive meetings or for other good cause.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION AND EVIDENCE:

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1. Standards of conduct for public officers: 112.313(1), Florida Statutes

2. Suspensions: Article IV Section 7, Florida Constitution

3. Florida Board of Governors Resolution Creating Boards of Trustees

4. USF St. Petersburg Campus Board Operating Procedures

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