AGB Announces New Membership Benefits
Beginning in January 2020, AGB members will have access to increased value for their membership with a new innovative member experience. There are four new enhancements for AGB members:
- A member-exclusive portal that allows members to see AGB’s content organized by topic, board fundamentals, institution type, board role, and resource type.
- New Governance Briefings that give members the latest insights on higher education’s import-ant issues.
- A new board member online orientation. Every board member will be able to take this course introducing them to the fundamentals of higher education governance including fiduciary duties, essential board responsibilities, and board com-position and culture.
- The last new membership enhancement is AGB’s Governance Needs Review. This is a complimentary review of current board processes, practices, and structure.
Trusteeship Launches a New Digital Edition
In addition to the enhanced member benefits, Trusteeship magazine is also enriching its readership experience with a digital version launching with the January/February issue. AGB members will receive an email to access the digital version that will read as a replica of the print edition so all artwork and charts in addition to the full article as it is viewed exactly in the print edition will be viewable in an online digital format. The digital edition will be viewable on computer as well as on other mobile devices such as iPads and smartphones. Digital editions will be archived so you will have a full digital library going forward. Text-only articles will also continue to be available to members at AGB.org.
New AGB Podcast Released
AGB’S LATEST Trusteeship Radio podcast episode focuses on the value of using nontraditional volunteers to bolster university advocacy efforts. The University of Washington Alumni Association has engaged with the state legislature and other policymakers to support university priorities through the work of UW Impact, the advocacy arm of the Alumni Association. Featuring Paul Rucker (executive director of the University of Washington Alumni Association) and Courtney Acitelli (program director of UW Impact), this episode explores the strength of engaging with alumni, community leaders, businesses, and other higher education institutions to promote higher education initiatives with lawmakers. Listen at AGB.org/podcast/.
New Guardians Briefs
In December AGB shared two new Guardians Briefs with members: The Research Mission in Higher Education and The International Dimensions of Higher Education.
Guardians Briefs are intended to describe and explain various elements of the higher education enterprise. Previous briefs have focused on the business model, the return on investment in higher education, and the value of higher education to democracy, among others. These latest briefs examine two more facets of higher education: the research mission of higher education, as well as the international dimensions of higher education. Board members can use these educational tools to help articulate the value of higher education in their conversations with policy-makers, business leaders, and members of the public. Read all the Guardians Briefs at agb.org/Guardians.
Third Annual AGB Trustee Index Released
In January AGB is releasing its third annual Trustee Index, which investigates board members’ most pressing matters imperative to the higher education sector. AGB surveyed trustees from across the nation about topics such as diversity and inclusion initiatives, admissions practices, free speech regulations, accreditation, processes, and preparedness to address these emerging issues. The survey revealed that trustees’ concern over the future of the sector is heightened since 2018. Other key findings include the following:
- The number of trustees showing concern about the future of the higher education sector over the next decade has increased by 16 percentage points from 2018 to 2019 with financial sustainability and price for students and their families as the top drivers of concern.
- The majority of respondents (60 percent) feel trustees themselves should help communicate information about the student debt situation. Few believe the general public, prospective students, or policymakers have an accurate understanding of this issue.
- Sixty-four percent of trustees overall “agree” or “strongly agree” that college appli-cants with wealthy parents are more likely than other applicants to be accepted at selective colleges and universities; however, when asked which factors should be considered important for admissions decisions at their own institutions, relatively few trustees cite ability to pay (20 percent), legacy status (14 percent), or family donations (5 percent).
- Sixty-three (63) percent of respondents disagree that U.S. college graduates have the skills they need to be competitive in the global economy—up from 54 percent in 2017.
- Technology and cybersecurity and board evaluation, development, and succession planning are the top issues on which trustees report their boards spend too little time.
The Trustee Index is produced with the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and in collaboration with Gallup in conducting this survey. The AGB Trustee Index is available online at AGB.org.
Calendar of Events
Institute for Board Chairs and Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities
January 9–11, 2020/ Naples, Florida
January 16–18, 2020/ Phoenix, Arizona
June 22–24, 2020/ Aspen, Colorado
Institute for Board Leaders and Chief Executives of Public Universities and Systems
April 4-5, 2020/ Washington, DC
2020 National Conference on Trusteeship
April 5-7, 2020/ Washington DC
Institute for Foundation Board Leaders and Chief Executives
June 22-23, 2020/ Aspen, Colorado
New Books From AGB Press
Risk Management, Second Edition: An Accountability Guide for University and College Boards by Janice M. Abraham and Sarah Braughler
Understanding Enrollment Management: A Guide for Board Members of Colleges and Universities by Don Hossler and Jerome Lucido
What Boards Need to Know About New Students by Rogan Kersh
Access your member digital ebooks online at AGB.org.
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