FAQs

Reconciling the two principles of free speech and inclusive excellence is a challenge that governing board members and administrators must meet. This guide is designed to help AGB members meet this challenge by addressing the following topics: What is free …

Understand the basics of academic freedom and freedom of speech. This guide helps boards and leaders understand the purpose and scope of academic freedom and freedom of speech, including the impact on higher education academics and programming. What is academic …

This guide helps boards and leaders understand risks to financial sustainability What is the governing board's responsibility for managing financial risks to the institution? The governing board of a college or university holds the ultimate fiduciary responsibility for managing financial …

This guide helps boards and leaders understand the proposition that colleges and universities should refrain from taking official positions on political or social issues that do not directly affect the core mission of the institution or have direct adverse effects …

This guide helps boards and leaders understand MOUs (memoranda of understanding) between public colleges and universities and affiliated foundations. What is a memorandum of understanding (MOU)? A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is a formal agreement between two or more parties …

This guide helps boards and leaders understand risks to effective governance. What is the governing board’s responsibility for institutional governance? The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges Statement on Board Responsibility for Institutional Governance (AGB, 2010) outlines eight …

This guide helps boards and leaders understand risks to the student experience. Why should boards care about risks to the student experience? The student experience is central to a higher education institution’s mission. As fiduciaries, board members must understand the …

These FAQs are based on a 2023 interview conducted by Nicole Wellmann Kraus, president and chief client officer at Strategic Investment Group, with Charles “Charley” Ellis, founder of Greenwich Associates and former chair of the Yale University Investment Committee.

This guide helps boards and leaders understand the importance of managing reputational risk. What is reputational risk? Reputational risk occurs when there is a significant gap or disconnect between stakeholder expectations and the decision-making of your …

Achieving Prosperity in a Challenging Environment Small and mid-sized private institutions, serving about 14 percent of the higher education market, continue to take the brunt of the systemic market challenges impacting higher education. Many private institutions are struggling with …