Higher Education Governance
Integrity Initiative

A nonpartisan policy framework for effective governance.

As public boards face increasing pressure and politicization, trustees must have a strong understanding of their governance duties and boundaries. However, media reporting and an AGB survey highlight significant gaps in trustee confidence.

43%

of trustees are not fully confident in their own or their board’s understanding of fiduciary responsibilities and governance boundaries, according to a March 2026 AGB survey.

The nonpartisan Higher Education Governance Integrity Initiative is a national effort to strengthen governance integrity, board independence, and institutional autonomy across public higher education.

The initiative provides policy recommendations, practical tools, and educational resources that support sound, clear, and confident governance practices resilient to external pressure. While many recommendations are particularly applicable in states where institutions have their own governing boards, the initiative also offers valuable guidance for statewide systems seeking to ensure trustees clearly understand their governance responsibilities, fiduciary duties, and the distinction between governance oversight and institutional management.

Strong governance depends on trustees understanding their role in stewarding institutional mission and serving the citizens of the state while preserving the long-term independence and effectiveness of public higher education institutions and systems.

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Download Sample Legislation ↓

When roles are unclear:

Governance and management lines blur
Presidential instability increases
Institutional autonomy weakens
Mission stewardship is undermined
Responsibility to the citizens of the state erodes

Strong governance:

Protects institutional autonomy
Upholds fiduciary duty
Ensures long-term mission alignment
Reinforces public accountability

Why this matters.

Public higher education governing boards are operating in an increasingly complex environment shaped by heightened scrutiny, political pressure, leadership turnover, and growing public expectations. At the same time, many trustees report uncertainty regarding fiduciary responsibilities, governance boundaries, and the distinction between board oversight and day-to-day institutional operations.

When governance roles are unclear, lines between governance and management can blur, institutional leadership stability may suffer, and institutional autonomy can be weakened. Strengthening trustee preparation and clarifying governance responsibilities helps boards and systems govern more effectively while supporting institutional mission stewardship and accountability to the citizens of the state.

For statewide systems, these recommendations are intended to complement—not replace—existing governance structures and system-led trustee education efforts.

Implement a state-level solution.

The Higher Education Governance Integrity Initiative framework offers policy recommendations and model practices designed to strengthen governance effectiveness, reinforce institutional autonomy, and support board independence.

The framework is particularly relevant for states in which institutions operate with institution-level governing boards. However, many of the principles—including trustee orientation, fiduciary education, governance boundary clarification, and ongoing board development—are also applicable to statewide systems seeking to strengthen governance practices through their own established processes and educational programs.

The initiative recognizes that statewide systems maintain distinct governance structures and often possess the authority to implement trustee education and governance training independent of statutory mandates.

Higher Education Governance Integrity Initiative

One-Page Fact Sheet

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Core policy actions:

Strengthen Trustee Selection Criteria

Prioritize candidates with fiduciary, governance, and civic leadership experience to ensure boards are equipped to govern effectively.

Modernize Trustee Training

Require comprehensive onboarding and continuing education focused on:

Fiduciary duties
Governance vs. management boundaries
Institutional autonomy
Ethical leadership

Implement Fiduciary Certification

Require trustees to formally affirm their commitment to:

Institutional mission and values
Duties of care, loyalty, and obedience
Core principles of trusteeship

Reform Nomination Processes

Introduce structured legislative involvement to:

Reduce politicization
Preserve board continuity
Strengthen public confidence

Prepare Board Chairs for Leadership

Require role-specific training for board chairs, recognizing that governance breakdowns often originate at the leadership level.

Download the legislative framework and sample bill text.

Higher Education Governance Integrity Legislative Framework

Policy Design & Consensus Building

This legislative framework provides a practical, adaptable strategy to strengthen governance, clarify trustee roles, and restore public accountability in higher education and responsibility to the citizens of the state. Designed as a policy blueprint for state leaders, governing boards, and higher education stakeholders, it can assist early-stage policy development, including key components such as training, certification, and nominations.

Download legislative framework→

Higher Education Governance Integrity Sample Bill Text

Legislative Action & Implementation

The Higher Education Governance Integrity and Public Trust Act bill text translates the Initiative into clear, actionable legislative language, providing a ready-to-use statutory model for states prepared to move from concept to implementation. The model also enables policymakers to benchmark against existing statutes, identify gaps in current governance laws, and advance comprehensive, credible reforms that strengthen board governance and responsibility to the people of the state.

Download sample legislation→

The sample legislative language included in this initiative is intended primarily for states in which public institutions operate under institution-level governing boards established or governed through state statute.

Statewide systems may find elements of the framework useful as a reference for strengthening trustee orientation, governance education, and role clarity through system-led policies, board development programs, or administrative practices without requiring statutory changes.

Access tools for lawmakers and trustees.

Effective governance depends on trustees understanding fiduciary duties, governance boundaries, institutional mission stewardship, and the respective responsibilities of governing boards and institutional leadership.

AGB encourages ongoing trustee education through both in-person and online learning opportunities, including statewide governance programs, system-led trustee development initiatives, and institution-based orientation efforts.

These resources may be especially valuable for statewide systems seeking to strengthen governance effectiveness through system-directed trustee education rather than legislative mandates.