Whittier College is a residential four-year liberal arts institution that prepares students from diverse backgrounds to excel in a complex global society. Through challenging, interactive courses, taught by accomplished professors, students learn to make connections across disciplines, understand cultural perspectives, and integrate learning with practical application. Inspired by Quaker heritage, the Whittier education equips students to be active citizens and effective communicators who embrace diversity and act with integrity.
The Whittier College Board of Trustees shall conduct themselves in a manner that is in keeping with the mission, culture and traditions of the College. Meeting that expectation is an implicit requirement for every College employee and for all members of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees must also adhere to the requirements outlined in the Whittier College Board of Trustees Bylaws and the Whittier College Board Roles and Responsibilities available in the Board portal. Members of the Board of Trustees may be subject to discipline if they fail to meet expectations arising from their role as a Board Member and as a member of the Whittier College community. Any questions regarding the guidelines and policies outlined herein should be directed to the President of Whittier College, the Chair of the Board of Trustees, and/or the Chair of the Governance Committee of the Board of Trustees, as is appropriate under the circumstances.
Members of the Board of Trustees of Whittier College will conduct themselves in a professional manner in keeping with the historic values of Quakers, with respect and courtesy toward members of the College community and others with whom they interact in connection with their membership. The actions and statements of a Whittier College Trustee should follow these guidelines to promote the professional environment of the College, whose successful operation and reputation are grounded in the principles of integrity, equity, and civility.
Embracing these high ethical principles, Trustees are expected to use good judgment as a guide to acceptable conduct. If a situation arises where it is difficult to determine a proper course of action, the matter should be referred to the President of Whittier College, the Chair of the Board of Trustees or the Board’s Governance Committee Chair. The success of Whittier College is dependent upon maintaining the trust of the various constituencies of Whittier College: its students, faculty, staff, administration, and fellow members of the Board.
A Trustee’s failure to comply with these standards could lead to disciplinary action, including possible suspension, removal from an officer position or removal from the Board of Trustees.
All members of the Whittier College community are expected to conduct themselves ethically, i.e., by demonstrating honesty, integrity, fairness, respect, and professionalism toward all matters and persons. No Trustee shall intentionally provide inaccurate, false, or fraudulent information in the course of conducting business, on College documents, or during College investigations, audits, or complaint processes. No Trustee shall intentionally make bad faith allegations of wrongdoing, including allegations that are knowingly false, capricious, maliciously motivated, or made with reckless disregard for fact.
The privacy of Whittier students, faculty, staff, administrators, visitors, Trustees, and all other persons shall be respected and promoted. Information marked as “confidential” or obtained in a closed executive session shall be maintained as confidential, and access to such information shall be strictly limited to those having good cause for such access and then limited to the extent necessary to accomplish legitimate purposes. The unauthorized release, use, access, or retention of confidential or proprietary information concerning any member of the College community, the College and any affiliated entities, operations, or personnel, regardless of intent, is strictly prohibited.
Whittier College prohibits any form of discrimination, harassment or mistreatment on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, age, gender, mental or physical disability, veteran or military status, medical condition (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), marital status, citizenship or immigration status, sexual orientation, gender orientation, gender identification, gender expression, gender characteristics, or any other basis recognized by applicable law.
All Trustees should adhere to and familiarize themselves with the College’s policies as published online at https://www.whittier.edu/policies/nondiscrimination.
Members of the Board of Trustees shall take all necessary and appropriate steps to avoid situations involving actual or potential conflicts of interest, including in situations where relatives may become employed at the College, and are required to complete the Conflict of Interest survey annually.
If a Trustee has knowledge of alleged unlawful harassment or fraudulent activity, the Trustee has a duty to report such activity to the President of the College as soon as possible. If the activity involves a Trustee, it must be reported to the Chair of the Board of Trustees, and if it involves the Chair of the Board of Trustees, it must be reported to the Governance Chair of the Board of Trustees to take appropriate action.
Approved by the Whittier College Board of Trustees on February 22, 2025
Whittier College Board of Trustees Bylaws Whittier College Board of Trustees Roles and Responsibilities
