Table of Contents

Cover Story

Disruption in College Athletics: Turmoil Over Intercollegiate Athletics Sets Presidents and Boards Scrambling
By Christopher Connell

College athletics is facing unprecedented changes in the wake of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s court losses, including one in 2021 that allowed student athletes to cash in on their name, image, and likeness and to transfer to other schools without sitting out. The payment of student athletes has disrupted recruiting and can have an impact on both incoming and outgoing revenue to higher education institutions for the foreseeable future.

Features

In Praise of Long-Term Presidencies: How to Attract and Retain Decade-Plus Leadership
By Terrence J. MacTaggart

Not too long ago, the position of a college president was a role that offered stability for an institution, but in recent years, the tenure of the average college president has become much shorter in length. Many boards are now facing one of the most importance tasks of higher education governance—hiring a college president—much more often. Employing best practices can help boards recruit a long-term president

A Commitment to Governance
By Stefan Fletcher

Governance never seems to be more important than in the wake of a scandal. Michigan State University found itself at the center of public scrutiny several years ago—but crisis can bring opportunity. The board wanted to ensure greater accountability and appropriate oversight of the institution and developed new governance principles.

American Higher Education in 2025 and Beyond: Toward a More Perfect Silence or a More Perfect Union?
By John Silvanus Wilson Jr.

In today’s environment fraught with crises, many campuses are seeking immunization from controversy and have treated strengthened institutional neutrality policies like a vaccine. However, rather than becoming bystanders, presidents and boards should consider whether and how to ensure that their institution will use their campus cultures, curricula, and communications to perfect their silence institutionally—or perfect our union nationally.

Departments and Columns

On My Agenda
Encouraging Academic Freedom and the Value of Higher Education
By Ross Mugler

News in Brief
A Sampling of National Higher Education News

Inside AGB

Legal Standpoint
Social Inflation: Expanding Liability and Rising Costs
By Lee Tyner

In Practice
Innovations for Board Retreats and Strategic Planning
By David Wickes and Allan M. Freedman

Foundations of Consequence
How to Succeed at Succession Planning
By Cherí E. O’Neill

Forum
Athletics: Is Your President Playing Poker or Slots?
By Ryan Hays

A Question For
How Are Changes in College Athletics Impacting Small Institutions?
An interview with Adrian Wojnarowski

Cover Image Credit: ILLUSTRATION BY JIM STARR