Wyoming Community Colleges offer a broad spectrum of services and activities in response to the demands of the citizens of the state. The requirements that these colleges continue to provide services to the community that enhance the quality of life, provide economic development opportunities, instill appreciation for the cultural arts, and be accessible to all citizens of the state, presents challenges through a commitment to provide quality services and activities. 

Community College leaders realize, however, that small businesses have become increasingly concerned about the involvement by colleges in activities and endeavors that are viewed by some as outside their mission. Unfortunately, the extent to which Community Colleges are involved in such activities has been distorted, thereby exaggerating the impact of such endeavors on small business. Furthermore, there are current state and federal laws and regulations governing the educational business activities of our colleges, and these laws and regulations are adequate to address the issues raised by the small business community.

To further assist in the self-regulation of educational business activities, the undersigned have adopted this “Joint Policy Statement and Guideline on Educational Business Activities of Community Colleges.” This policy and related guideline is presented to clearly state our understanding and sensitivity to the concerns that have been expressed and our firm commitment to ensure that we recognize our responsibility for implications of actions taken when educational business activities are created and operated to serve students and communities.

Statement of Policy
In carrying out their missions, Community Colleges in Wyoming find that it is often necessary to charge fees for providing services that enhance, promote, or support their instructional, community service, and other educational and support functions in order to meet the needs of the students, faculty, staff, and members of the public participating in institutional events.  

Educational business activities, however, are to be established and carried on only when pursuant to, and in accordance with an authorization and statement of purpose approved by the College’s Board of Trustees.

Each educational business activity in Wyoming Community Colleges in Wyoming must meet the following conditions:

1. The activity is deemed to be an integral part of the fulfillment of the institution’s teaching and community service mission and other educational support activities.
2. The activity is needed to provide a necessary good or service at a reasonable price, on reasonable terms, and a convenient location and time.
3. The activity is carried out for the primary benefit to the College student, but with sensitivity to the total community.
4. Each College must comply with applicable laws and regulations pertaining to such activities.
5. Colleges must consult with employer advisory committees on any occupational education program whereby it is necessary for the College to operate a business in conjunction with the training program.

Resolution
The Board of Trustees of each Community College and the Community College Commission recognize that the business activities of the State’s seven Community Colleges must be increasingly sensitive to the small business community, while at the same time provide quality goods and services to the population served by the Community Colleges.

Therefore Be It Resolved That Wyoming Community Colleges Shall:

• adopt Board policies regarding educational business activities;
• pay sales tax on appropriate business services and activities, as required by statutes;
• explore additional ways in which needed products and services may be provided by established local or state businesses, and;
• convey to their state representative that current law is adequate and that any modification must take into consideration the important service function that the State’s Community Colleges are expected to perform and provide for students, faculty, staff, and the community.

Adopted 7/11/1988