4.2.f EXTERNAL INFLUENCE
The governing board protects the institution from undue influence by external persons or bodies.
JUDGEMENT
Compliance 
Non-Compliance
Partial Compliance
NARRATIVE
1. North Carolina A&T State University uses its onboarding and annual training retreats to educate Board members about their responsibilities, including awareness about external influence. Institutional safeguards against undue influence of external bodies or individuals are addressed in the Duties, Responsibilities and Expectations of Members of the Board of Trustees, Section B—Duty of Loyalty, p. 6.
2. Ethical Conduct. Board members shall adhere to high standards of ethical conduct by complying with laws, regulations, and university policies applicable to their service as Board members and public officials, which include the obligations to:
a. Exercise authority honestly and fairly, free from impropriety, threats, favoritism, and undue influence, as required by the State Ethics Act (See G.S. 138A-2 et seq.).
These measures reduce the risk that outside individuals, groups, religious or legislative bodies or any other types of organizations external to the institution are able to interfere with the governing board’s ultimate authority to fulfill its responsibilities. Board members are educated on their responsibilities during the onboarding process that is part of the Board’s Summer Retreat (Agenda for 2019 attached), and in regular state ethics compliance processes.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
1. Duties, Responsibilities and Expectations of Members of the Board of Trustees, Section B—Duty of Loyalty, p. 6.