(1) The president of the college shall have the authority to exercise in the name of the board all of the powers and duties vested in or imposed upon the board by law except those reserved to the board by the board, including all powers granted to the board as governing body by chapter 39.34 RCW or any other statute. The president of the college shall be directly responsible to the board of trustees. The president shall be the principal administrative officer of the college and shall have general supervision of all operations and programs of the institution.

(2) The president shall be the appointing authority for all administrative exempt, classified, faculty and other employees of the college; the president may delegate some or all of that authority in writing to deans and/or other designees. The president shall carry out all rules, regulations, orders, directives and policies established by the board and shall perform all other duties necessary or appropriate to the administration of the college. The essence of the relationship between the board and the president shall be one of full mutual confidence and completely open communication.