Hillsborough Community College’s governing District Board of Trustees protects itself from undue influence by adhering to College policy requiring each Trustee to disclose any personal interests concerning matters pending before the Board and to refrain from voting or participating in the decision-making process concerning the matter at issue (HCC Administrative Rules 6HX-10-1.00, 6HX-10-4.13; Board Meeting Minutes, April 2004).  Board voting records clearly demonstrate the voting pattern of the Board reflects administrative recommendations, and not external forces.  Trustees also receive training on boardsmanship through Board workshops and through their active participation in organizations such as the Association for Community College Trustees (ACCT) and the Florida Association of Community Colleges' Trustee Commission (FACC).   Trustees ensure that the public and affected parties are able to offer comment through a section of the Board meeting agenda that is dedicated to receiving comment from members of the College community and external parties. 

Additional protection is provided to HCC Trustees through Florida’s Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees (Florida Statutes, Section 112.311).   Under Florida law, no public officer shall have any interest, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect; engage in any business transaction or professional activity; or incur any obligation of any nature which is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his or her duties in the public interest. [Florida Statutes, Section 112.311(5)].