By providing equal opportunities for all, the community college helps its students to realize their potential. Thus their talents become more readily available to the community, and their participation in society becomes more effective. In accordance with its designated function as a policy-making body, the Governing Board of the Palomar Community College District creates the policies by which the district operates, subject to the Education Code of the State of California, all rules prescribed by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, and all federal statutes. Board policy may be changed, subject to the Education Code of the State of California, only by action of the Governing Board through a majority vote of its members. The Governing Board schedules its regular meetings in the Board Room on campus on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month.
Meetings are open to the public.
In the 1950s, Palomar College officials became aware of potential private donations that might be used to supplement public funding of college programs and activities. State legislation was passed which allowed the formation of foundations to receive and distribute such assets on behalf of a community college without going through the general fund. Accordingly, the Palomar College Development Foundation was established. The first meeting of its board of directors was held December 31, 1959. Among its early projects, the foundation provided funding required for the swimming pool, a harpsichord for the performing arts department, a trailer for tutorial groups, facilities for the children's center, curtains for the theater, and several scholarships for students.