College and university boards of trustees customarily delegate a host of responsibilities to board committees. In the minds of many board members and in the practice of most committees, those responsibilities are to monitor various aspects of the institution. The vice president for academic affairs, student affairs, or development reports to the relevant committee on current needs and goals, plans for progress, challenges and successes, and the most recent relevant numbers. Board members listen to the reports, then ask questions to clarify particular items, make suggestions about strategies, share personal anecdotes related to the topic, and consent or approve proposed actions. This comfortable approach leaves board members feeling that they have easily fulfilled their duties and administrators feeling relieved and unchallenged.