Athens State University (ASU) is the only upper-division university in the Alabama Community College System (ACCS). As a member of the ACCS, Athens State operates under the authority of the Alabama State Board of Education upon recommendations from the Chancellor, who serves as the chief executive officer of the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education.

The policy-making functions of the Board and the responsibilities of University administrators and faculty to administer and implement policy are specified in writing in the Legislative Code of Alabama, State Board Policy statements and internal University documents and handbooks.

The Code of Alabama, Section 16-60-111.4 specifies the powers of the State Board, which include making the rules and regulations that govern institutions in the ACCS. In addition, State Board Policy 101.01 clearly specifies that the State Board is the official governing body of the ACCS.

The Code of Alabama, Section 16-60-111.5 specifies the powers and duties of the Chancellor, which include executing and enforcing the rules and regulations of the Board that govern institutions in the ACCS. State Board Policies 102.02 and 102.03 restate the powers and duties of the Chancellor.

The Code of Alabama, Section 16-60-111.6 makes a clear distinction between the powers of the Chancellor and of the President, in that the President is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the institution. This distinction is reiterated in State Board Policy 102.04.

State Board Policy 203.02 defines the line of authority of the President, which includes operating the institution in compliance with all applicable Board policies and state and federal requirements. Furthermore, State Board Policy 210.01 specifies that the President is responsible for the development of local policies governing the institution, and that such policies must be included in appropriate institutional documents.

Internally, the authority and control of the institution’s policies are defined by the University’s Policy Approval Process. Internal ASU Policies may be divided into four categories: Administrative Policies, Academic Policies, Faculty Governance Policies and Operational Policies. Administrative and Operational Policies fall under the purview of the appropriate administrative or operational units. Faculty Governance and Academic Policies are under the control of the ASU Faculty and the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs. As the final step of the approval process, all new policies or policy revisions in these four categories must be approved by the President before implementation and dissemination by the appropriate unit.

Internal policies are disseminated on the University’s Policies and Procedures webpage and in the appropriate sections of the Employee Handbook, and the Student Planner and Handbook.

The ASU Employee Handbook, Part 2.3 clearly defines and summarizes the organization, powers, and duties of the State Board of Education, Chancellor, President, and University administrators. The ASU Employee Handbook, Part 7 clearly defines the role of the ASU Faculty in academic policy-making.