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American colleges and universities are facing intensifying political scrutiny and intervention. Recent events...
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The most pressing public policy issues facing college and university boards of trustees and foundation boards in 2023 and 2024, in the estimation of the Association of Governing Boards and a higher education advisory panel, are the following: affordability and value; accountability and regulation; judicial rulings; political intrusion; federal and state funding; and college athletics.
To serve as effective fiduciaries, governing board members must put the best interests of the institution first, to ensure its mission fulfillment and long-term sustainability. While they must be open and listen to a wide range of viewpoints and approaches from a range of constituencies, they must also sharpen their ability to recognize and, if necessary, reject influences they determine are not in line with their fiduciary responsibilities. Governing boards must demonstrate their independence for both fiduciary and accreditation purposes.
This statement was approved on November 10, 2023, by the Board of Directors of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges. The following principles are intended to guide boards in the governance of colleges, universities, systems, and related foundations; inform them of their roles and responsibilities; and clarify their relationships with presidents, administration, faculty, and others involved in the governance process.
