Commercial Activity Policy

Commercial Activity Policy

Reference: 28B.63 RCW

I. Purpose

The mission of Community College District No. 3, Olympic College, is to provide comprehensive educational programs of the highest quality as provided for in the Community College Act of 1967. These programs will be responsive to the changing needs of the communities and the students served by the district and
will be accessible to all those seeking to continue their education.

To promote the mission of Olympic College, it is often necessary to engage in commercial activities that provide goods and services that meet special needs of students, faculty, staff and members of the public participating in College activities and events. Chapter 28B.63 RCW establishes standards for institutions of higher education to follow in conducting commercial activities. The purpose of these laws is to require institutions of higher education to define the legitimate purposes under which commercial activities may be approved by a college or university and to establish mechanisms for review of such activities. The purpose of the policy statement and standards that follows is to assure that Olympic College pursues commercial activities in compliance with chapter 28B.63 RCW and that all commercial activities of the College serve the mission of the College.

II. Policy

Olympic College may engage in the provision of goods, services, or facilities for a fee only when such are directly and substantially related to the educational mission of the College. Fees charged for goods, services, and facilities shall reflect their full direct and indirect costs, including overhead. They shall also take into account the price of such items in the private marketplace.

III. Approval and Review of Commercial Activities

The Vice President for Administrative Services shall be responsible for the approval of new commercial activities and the periodic review of existing ones. It shall be the responsibility of this officer to assure that each commercial activity meets the criteria established for commercial activities of the College. Proposals
for new or altered services shall be approved by the Vice President for Administrative Services prior to implementation.

IV. Criteria for Commercial Activities Serving Olympic College

Each of the following criteria shall be used in assessing the validity of providing goods or services to members of the campus community:

  1. The goods or services are substantially and directly related to the mission of the College,
  2. Provision of the goods, services or facilities on campus represents a special convenience to the College community,
  3. Fees charged for the goods, services or facilities shall take into account the full direct and indirect costs including overhead. They shall also reflect the costs of such items in the private marketplace.
  4. Procedures adequate to the circumstances shall be observed to ensure that the goods and services are provided only to persons who are students, faculty, staff, or invited guests.

V. Criteria for Providing Commercial Activities to the External Community

  1. The goods, services or facilities provided relate substantially and directly to the mission of the College and are not commonly available or otherwise easily accessible in the private marketplace and are in demand from the external community.
  2. Fees charged for the goods, services, or facilities shall take into account the full direct and indirect costs, including overhead. They shall also reflect the price of such items in the private marketplace.

VI. Definitions and Limitations

“Commercial activity” means an activity which provides a product or services for a fee which could be obtained from a commercial source. This definition shall be used to determine which activities shall be governed by this policy, except that this policy shall not apply to:

  1. The initiation of, or changes in, academic or vocational programs of instruction in the College’s regular, extension, evening or continuing education programs;
  2. Fees for services provided in the practicum aspects of instruction;
  3. Extracurricular programs, including athletic and recreational programs, and performing arts programs.
  • Recommended by Bruce Riveland, VP for Administrative Services
  • Submitted to President’s Cabinet for Review May 27, 2015
  • Approved by President n/a
  • Submitted to Board of Trustees July 14, 2015
  • Approved by Board of Trustees August 18, 2015