Trusteeship: Academic Freedom, Free Speech, and Board Independence Compendium

Trusteeship: Academic Freedom, Free Speech, and Board Independence Compendium

For more than 100 years, AGB has been at the forefront of the governance structure of higher education institutions. For trustees who serve on governing boards, understanding the underpinning of academia is a fundamental characteristic of service. The purpose of higher education is to create a citizenry that is informed and can understand many different perspectives. The greatest mission of higher education institutions is the pursuit of knowledge and truth. Pursuing knowledge requires a spirit of open-mindedness; all viewpoints must be welcome—and even celebrated—on campuses. What lies at the foundation of academia are the principles of academic freedom and free speech. Supporting these inherent tenets of higher education is a duty of every trustee to safeguard board independence and institutional autonomy. In recent years, a dedication to supporting academic freedom and free speech has been more important than ever. As society is undergoing massive change at an unprecedented pace and the political environment is fraught with ongoing divisiveness, American higher education institutions serving as a beacon of clarity for academic freedom and free speech is what we all need. Trustees have a great responsibility to uphold these principles, which is what makes American higher education unique around the world. Effective governance depends on it.

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