Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Board Relations and Planning (Face-to-Face)

AA 6800-01

Course: AA 6800-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: TA
CRN: 30003

Course Description

This course provides an in-depth study of the role of a Board of Directors and the planning process as it effects the operation of arts and cultural organizations. Specific topics covered include board and staff interaction, board duties and responsibilities, fundraising, governance models, strategic planning, parliamentary procedures for meetings, committee structures, and developing by-laws and policies. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Arts Administration students only

Required Texts

(1) The Handbook of Nonprofit Governance (2010) The Board Source, Jossey-Bass
(2) Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organization (3rd Edition) Michael Allison & Jude Kaye

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  1. Analyze and articulate the history and functions of a board of directors through assigned readings, class discussion, and presentations.
  2. Be able to enumerate the attributes of an effective board and staff working relationship and apply the readings, research and class discussion to analyze problem situations and propose solutions in different types of arts, culture, and nonprofit organizations.
  3. Speak about current trends in board development and governance, and apply critical and analytical thinking to a variety of board and staff management and leadership problems through research and discussions.
  4. Evaluate current trends in board development and governance and develop the skills to work with, manage, and lead boards and organizations.This includes learning to work with a diverse range of people, effectively communicating and listening, as well as coordinating and facilitating large group meetings. Class discussions, presentations, and role playing techniques will be used to model best practices.
  5. Develop the skills needed to create and implement an appropriately scaled strategic planning process that ensures the mission, vision, and values of the organization are effectively aligned to facilitate mission fulfillment. Be able to write mission and vision statements as well as and goals, objectives, and action plans through class assignments and research.
  6. Be able to write bylaws for an organization as well as be able to analyze and amend bylaws to maximize the operational effectiveness of an organization. Class readings and discussions will be used to develop these skills.
  7. Create agendas and effectively manage board and committee business meetings in an arts or nonprofit organization. Also, understand how to adapt procedural rules to the type of organization you are working with. Best practice examples, readings and research resources will be used to build these skills.

Course Requirements


Contribution (27%)


Weekly Discussions: You will have 7 discussions in this course.  Students are expected to start each week prepared and to actively contribute. Each week, class will be conducted in Canvas Discussions which will focus primarily on readings and assignments, but are not limited to such. Discussions on the Readings will open at 9:00 am on the first day of the week [usually Mondays] and will close at 11:59 on the fourth day of the week [usually Thursdays]. Each discussion will include a few questions from the instructor to get the ball rolling.

These discussions should be an organic, collaborative, and insightful process. Remember, participation is not necessarily about having the right answers. It is simply allowing for critical thinking, trying out new ideas and positions, and helping others consider all sides of an issue. Divergent beliefs and world-views may be shared; respect for those beliefs is critical. 10 Points Each Discussion.

Pre Course Assessment: Students will write a short [1-2 page] assessment of their current understanding of both Board Relations and Strategic Planning, listing any expectations or desires in regards to the course. The student may also include anything that he/she is looking forward to [or dreading] this semester. 10 Points

Post Course Reflection: Students will write a short [1-2 page] assessment of their current understanding of both Board Relations and Strategic Planning, now that the course is complete. The student may also include any highlights or unanswered questions regarding the course. 10 Points


Presentation: (26%)


Students will create and submit one presentation during the semester about an organization's strategic plan.
Presentation Details:
Prepare a 10-minute presentation with three major sections:
1. Introduction and overview of the organization (No more than 2 min)
2. Outline of the organization’s planning process and plan (No more than 8 min)
3. Assessment of the organization’s plan and your commendations and/ or recommendations about the plan (No more than 2 min)

What Makes for a Good Presentation?
The rubric created for assessing this assignment details my expectations for three criteria: Clarity, Communication, Graphics/Visuals
60 Points


Case Study (47%)


Students will select and report on the board and governance structure of an existing arts organization. Selection of the organization is subject to approval by the instructor. The report will allow you to integrate many, if not all, of the ideas we discuss throughout the semester.  Throughout the course, there are discussion questions that refer to your research on your project organization. In part, the class discussion process is designed to help enhance your research and the questions you ask your organization. I will also be assessing your overall writing proficiency. The criteria include writing consistently using a professional report style with clearly constructed paragraphs and sentences, correct spelling, and proper use of grammar throughout the whole document. Drafts will be turned in.
Drafts: 25 Points
Final Case Study: 228 Points

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Boards and Strategic Planning.
Module 2: Governance | Planning Steps 1 and 2.
Module 3: Board and CEO Relationships | Planning Steps 3 through 5. 
Module 4: Legal, Financial, and Fundraising Rules | Planning Steps 6-8.
Module 5: Communication, Succession Planning, and Evaluation | Planning Steps 9-10. 
Module 6: Bylaws and Meetings | Strategic Plan Presentation.
Module 7: Board Case Study. 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

All assignments and readings are expected to be completed by the due date/time listed on Canvas. Students earn credit by completing the assignments in the same time frame given every other student in the class.

  • Contribution: Since the contribution grade is based on conversing with your fellow students, full points cannot be made up when absent. Students can make up some of the missed points, but must make arrangements for such with the instructor.
  • Assignments: For written assignments turned in to the instructor, ten percent (10%) will be deducted for each 24-hour period past the deadline. This means that no assignment will be eligible for points if it is more than ten (10) days beyond the due date.
In the event of circumstances preventing a student from completing an assignment on time, the student should let the Instructor know before the due date, obtaining approval for a deadline extension. Such extensions are up to the discretion of the instructor. 



Attendance Policy

Students are expected to come to class prepared and to actively contribute to discussions. This means students are taking an active role in the course: engaging in the conversation and being respectful of the other students and the instructor.


ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.