Ripples in the pond

Comments against North Idaho College Board of Trustees Chair Todd Banducci sparked again during Wednesday night's meeting as groups within the institution gave their two cents. 

NIC faculty, staff, and senate assembly addressed the board about recent conflicts Wednesday night, asking the board to reinstate its conduct policy and expressing their collective vote of no confidence in Banducci. 

Coming from a position of concern for the college, representatives from the three on-campus groups addressed events that created the controversy between board members following Trustee Christie Wood's call for Banducci's resignation. 

On Feb. 2, the NIC faculty assembly approved a resolution asking Banducci to step down from his position as chair and restore the policy on appropriate trustee conduct that the board previously removed last December. 

Before removal, policy 2.01.10 established a level of "ethical" and "businesslike" actions by board members. However, Banducci and vice-chair Trustee Greg McKenzie raised the alarm to its gag-order restrictions on developing relationships with staff on campus and carrying out their duties for the college. 

"In my short tenure as a trustee, I have directly experienced this gag order in trying to connect with employees," McKenzie said. "Just getting to know them, not even ask about policy and get to know the fine, wonderful people here at NIC."

Faculty representative Chris Pelchat said the assembly felt that after becoming informed of the emails between Banducci and college President Rick MacLennan, the letter written by Wood, and recent transgressions, the group met and took a vote of no confidence. 

"We are deeply concerned about the current board chair's actions making decisions in ways that could undermine the board itself, the college president, and as a result of the college mission," Pelchat said. "Therefore, as the faculty assembly of North Idaho College, we hereby call on the board of trustees to reinstate the board conduct policy 2.01.10."

The resolution also asked for Banducci's relinquishment of the chair to "avoid threatening the long-term viability" of NIC's accreditation as an institution. The vote was reaffirmed during the faculty's recent meeting during the second week of February, Pelchat said. 

Jeff Davis of the NIC staff assembly told the board they also supported the faculty resolution. Davis explained the behavior of the board members has caused inefficiencies in governance and distracted the institution.

"As an advocate for the students, staff, faculty, and your board to reinstate policy 2.01.10 as the board of trustees exemplifies the principles of ethical leadership," Davis said. 

The staff assembly also recommended that the college hire an agency to investigate claims of aggression and inappropriate behavior made against Banducci. Based on a factual analysis of gathered information, Davis said the staff would expect the board of trustees to take appropriate action.

Like the faculty, Davis said the staff voted no confidence against Banducci earlier in February. Unfortunately, Davis alerted the board that their second vote on the topic was hijacked by individuals who had posted the online survey link on several Facebook pages and cast anonymous polls. Out of the 139 total responses, there were only 59 unique IP addresses, Davis said, meaning many of the unaffiliated votes were cast by the same individuals. The majority of those votes, he noted, were overwhelmingly against supporting the faculty's resolution. 

"At the end of the day, North Idaho College staff, faculty, and trustees have a shared goal to meet the diverse educational needs of students and employers of the North Idaho community," Davis said. "It is vital our leaders emulate civil behavior."

Steve Kurtz of the senate assembly also echoed these points, referencing several policies that involve trustee conduct, and said the group welcomed involvement in the setting of new standards. The Associated Students of North Idaho College, the on-campus student government organization, has also developed a statement on board relations that has been sent to college leadership, president Kai Sedlmayer said. However, Sedlmayer said they had not decided how they intend to release the statement to the public. 

Banducci asked if the faculty felt their ability to provide education had been compromised by recent events or board policy. Pelchat said that the conversation had not directly walked into his classroom and steered the lessons, but it has caused rifts on campus. 

"It's been incredibly challenging for the campus as a whole, regardless of the intended consequences or action, but once you cast this stone into that pond, the ripple effect goes on," Pelchat said. 

The policy regarding board conduct was a topic of discussion for the trustees later in the evening. McKenzie's revision of the policy language was eventually tabled due to disagreements between the board. Instead, the trustees agreed to form a committee to draft new codes supported by all members.