I. Definition

A. Public office means any national, state, or local governmental position of public trust and responsibility, whether elected or appointed, that is created or prescribed or recognized by constitution, statute, or ordinance.

B. Membership in the General Assembly is a full-time public office under this rule.

II. Rule

In accordance with State Board of Community Colleges Code 1C SBCCC 200.99, each employee of Central Piedmont Community College retains all rights and obligations of citizenship provided in the Constitution and laws of North Carolina and the Constitution and laws of the United States. Therefore, employees are encouraged to exercise those rights and obligations of citizenship, subject to the following provisions:

A. Any full-time employee who intends to seek a public office shall so inform the Board of Trustees through the President. The Human Resources Department shall obtain certification from the employee that the employee will not campaign or otherwise engage in political activities during his/her regular work hours or involve the College in political activities.

B. Any full-time employee who is elected to a part-time public office shall either certify through the President to the Board of Trustees that the office will not interfere with the carrying out of the duties of the employee's position with the College or shall request leave without pay.

C. Any employee who is elected or appointed to a full-time public office or to the General Assembly shall take a leave of absence without pay upon assuming that office. The length of the leave of absence shall be determined by the Board of Trustees on an office-by-office basis.

D. Any employee who is a candidate for public office is prohibited from soliciting support during his/her regular work hours and from soliciting support on College property, except during open forums to which other candidates are also invited.

Changes

Changes approved by Cabinet on May 6, 2020

Approved by the Board of Trustees on November 14, 1986