Statement on Board Responsibility for Institutional Governance

The enormous diversity among American colleges and universities is reflected in their disparate governance structures and functions. Although the culture and process of governance varies widely among institutions, the presence of lay citizen governing boards distinguishes American higher education from most of the rest of the world, where universities ultimately are dependencies of the state. America’s public and private institutions also depend on government, but they historically have been accorded autonomy in carrying out their educational functions through the medium of independent governing boards, working collaboratively with presidents , senior administrators and faculty leaders. These boards usually are appointed by governors (and less frequently elected), in the case of public institutions, and are generally self-perpetuating (selected by current board members), in the case of private institutions.

The “AGB Statement on Board Responsibility for Institutional Governance” encourages all governing boards and presidents to examine the clarity, coherence, and appropriateness of their institutions’ governance structures, policies, and practices, and recommends a number of principles of good practice related to institutional governance.  Moreover, it reflects a governing board perspective, taking into consideration the many changes that have occurred in American higher education during the four decades since the American Association of University Professors promulgated its “Statement on Government of Colleges and Universities” (1966), a document that AGB commended to its members.