From the Editor--Trusteeship September/October 2011

At AGB’s National Conference on Trusteeship this past April, much of the talk was about the growing need for colleges to collaborate in a variety of ways in order to thrive and succeed in these challenging times. The old adage that there’s strength in numbers finds renewed meaning in the world of educational consortia. This type of collaboration among institutions of higher learning can lead to improved effectiveness, innovation, and, ultimately, transformational change. “Innovation through Collaboration: New Pathways to Success,” our cover article by Mary Frances Forcier, director of the Colonial Academic Alliance, provides a road map for boards that are considering entering into such a relationship.

A recent survey by the Pew Research Center, in association with the Chronicle of Higher Education, found that many people doubt that online courses can provide the same quality of education that traditional courses do. But in our issue, Carol A. Twigg, president and CEO of the National Center for Academic Transformation, writes about using technology to do more than just teach classes online. Rather, technology can be the linchpin of course redesigns, resulting ultimately in improved academic quality, reduced costs, and increased student access. See “Transforming Learning through Technology: Educating More, Costing Less” for tips on how your institution can make these crucial changes to stay competitive.

If it seems like public support—both fiscal and personal—for higher education is waning, that’s because it is. What are the ramifications for public institutions, and how can they maintain their societal value in the midst of great cultural changes? Mark G. Yudof, president of the University of California, tries to answer those questions in “Whose University? The Decline of the Commonwealth and What That Means for Higher Education.”

A new academic year can be a stressful time for parents, faculty, and staff alike, not to mention students—whether they’re starting out at a new college or returning for another year. For many of those students, that stress, combined with myriad other factors, can take a toll on their mental health. Institutions need to be prepared for dealing with the challenges this presents, and boards have a role to play in whether they’re successful in those efforts. Writing in this month’s Trusteeship, Gregory T. Eells, director of counseling and psychological services at Cornell University, provides tip to board members on helping to create a campus culture that supports students who need help. Turn to “Rx for Students’ Mental Health: What Boards Can Do” to learn more.

Finally, the boards of America’s Catholic colleges and universities are increasingly populated by lay people rather than members of the religious orders that founded the institutions. Fr. William J. Byron, S.J., university professor of business and society at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, walks readers through the “Essential Ingredients for Trusteeship in Today’s Catholic Colleges and Universities.”