Govern with Integrity: Strengthening Trust, Transparency, and Accountability

Hats off to AGB for launching Govern with Integrity. This is just the resource needed to buoy trustees’ confidence in their understanding of fiduciary responsibilities and governance boundaries to strengthen trust, transparency, and accountability.

During the June meeting of the AGB Council of Board Professionals, members discussed how governing boards across public and independent institutions, systems, and related foundations are facing heightened expectations. Students, faculty members, regulators, and the public increasingly demand transparency, ethical leadership, and clear accountability. And it is the duty of trustees to deliver.

Govern with Integrity offers a practical framework for strengthening institutional oversight while reinforcing public trust through the steps outlined in AGB’s five recommendations:

Governance integrity is not simply an organization’s policies and procedures—it also reflects institutional values. Board members must demonstrate a shared commitment to ethical conduct, clarity in decision-making, and responsible stewardship. Doing so is essential not only for compliance with governing documents, laws, and other legal requirements but also for sustaining institutional credibility and long-term effectiveness to inspire public confidence.

Governance integrity begins with clarifying roles and responsibilities of board members. Trustees must understand their fiduciary duties—care, loyalty, and obedience—and maintain a clear distinction between governance and management. When roles are well defined, boards are positioned to focus on strategy, oversight, and mission alignment, rather than operational detail.

Equally important is adherence to governance processes. Clear documentation, consistent communication, and fidelity to established policies enable institutions to build trust. Transparency is especially critical in moments of institutional change or challenge, when institutions’ broad sets of stakeholders (faculty, students, staff, alumni, donors, accrediting bodies, and so forth) look to governing boards for confident leadership and direction.

Accountability mechanisms provide structure for a board’s performance. Regular board self-assessments, robust conflict-of-interest policies, and independent audits or reviews help ensure that governance practices remain aligned with institutional values. These tools also provide an opportunity for continuous improvement, allowing boards to adapt as expectations evolve.

Further, boards should establish or update a code of ethics to set clear expectations for trustee behavior. Investing in ongoing board education ensures that members remain informed about evolving governance standards.

The success of the principles in Govern with Integrity depends on a board’s culture. Boards that foster open dialogue, encourage thoughtful dissent, and model ethical leadership create an environment in which integrity is embedded in every decision. Institutions that prioritize governance integrity are better positioned to navigate uncertainty, respond to crises, and maintain alignment with their mission. They also strengthen relationships with stakeholders who demand evidence of strong governance.

Govern with Integrity is a proactive commitment to board excellence. By embedding integrity in all governance practices, boards can help ensure the public trust that is essential to the future of higher education.

Paul J. Tringale is secretary of the corporation at Tufts University.