Line of Authority in Absence of President

Approved by the Board of Trustees of the Rockland Community College, State University of New York on August 18, 2005. Amended on April 23, 2009. Amended July 26, 2012. Amended October 24, 2013.

The President shall be in charge of all College operations. In the President’s absence, whereby the President is not available or off campus, appropriate personnel will be responsible for operations and emergencies. This individual will have signature and decision-making authority in the President’s absence. The President’s Office will inform the Board Chair and Executive Council members as to the President’s absence and coverage plans with as much advance notice as possible.

The following positions/individuals will be in charge of operations in the order given:

  1. Provost and Executive Vice President
  2. Vice President, Finance & Administration;

Pressing issues and emergencies that are received in the President’s Office will be referred to the appropriate Vice President or the Vice President in charge of operations with the most updated information available. In the absence of the President, the Chair of the Board will be notified in the event of extraordinary emergencies. The Vice President in charge of operations will have limited signature authority explained below. In the event of an emergency, emergency procedures should be implemented. Before signing a document or initiating a major course of action, the Vice President is also expected to familiarize herself or himself with all relevant policies to be confident that such policies are fully complied with in the document presented for signature or the course of action to be taken. The Vice President should lend his or her presence and guidance in situations such as death of a student, faculty, or staff member; student crisis, serious crime or unrest on campus, and in any situation with the potential for major negative publicity. In all of these situations, it is expected that the Vice President will use his or her best judgment in determining an appropriate course of action. If a major/serious event occurs to the extent that the College would need to be closed or is put in a state of emergency, every attempt should be made to contact the President.

When foregoing officers are not themselves available, each Vice President should specify a designee to act in his or her behalf. The reverse is also true. When an emergency or crisis occurs, the President’s office should be notified immediately.

The following documents may require signature in the President’s absence. The Vice President may sign them to expedite their transaction. They include: employment documents, travel requests, grant proposals, requisitions, and routine letters.
The Chancellor, Board of Trustees, County Executive, Legislators, other SUNY Presidents may need to contact the President on pressing matters. Such contacts should be handled by the Vice President promptly. The Vice President may be called upon to attend emergency meetings or conference calls. He/she may appoint an Associate Vice President or Director to participate as necessary.

The Vice President may be called upon to give greetings or brief remarks at an event or appear as a guest on behalf of the College.

Other key personnel to be contacted as needed are:

  • Campus Emergency Response Team
  • Director, Human Resources
  • Vice President of Student Services
  • Chief Communications Officer