This volume for and by college and university leaders contains a foreword by Clark Kerr, president emeritus of the University of California, followed by 21 papers and resource suggestions on governing public colleges and universities. Papers are organized in three parts. Part 1 addresses the context within which trustees function. Part 2 covers the key responsibilities of governing boards. Part 3 discusses ways that academic trusteeship can be improved. The chapters are: (1) "Exercising Stewardship in Times of Transition" (Richard T. Ingram); (2) "The New Demography" (Harold L. Hodgkinson); (3) "The Economics and Financing of Public Higher Education" (David A. Longanecker); (4) "Coping with a Litigious Environment" (David M. Lascell, Sanford H. Levine); (5) "Planning for Strategic Decision Making" (Joel W. Meyerson, Sandra L. Johnson); (6) "Responsibilities of the Governing Board" (Richard T. Ingram); (7) "Selecting the Chief Executive" (Judith B. McLaughlin); (8) "Supporting the President and Assessing the Presidency" (Joseph F. Kauffman); (9) "Ensuring Sound Financial and Plant Management" (Molly C. Broad); (10) "Fund Raising and the Development of University Foundations" (Curtis R. Simic); (11) "Strengthening Relationships with Government Agencies and Political Leaders" (Aims C. McGuinness, Jr.); (12) "Maintaining Sound Relations with System Campuses" (Robert L. Carothers); (13) "Responding to Political, Social, and Ethical Issues" (Paul N. Ylvisaker); (14) "The Board's Role in Collective Bargaining" (Kenneth P. Mortimer); (15) "Setting Tenure and Personnel Policies" (Richard P. Chait); (16) "Defining, Assessing, and Nurturing Quality" (E. Grady Bogue); (17) "Orienting Trustees and Developing the Board" (Robert L. Gale, Frances Freeman); (18) "Making Board Meetings Work" (George D. Kieffer); (19) "Understanding Chief Executive and Board Chair Responsibilities" (Richard T. Ingram); (20) "The Role of the Board Staff Secretary" (Bonnie M. Smotony); and (21) "Assessing Board Performance" (Barbara E. Taylor). Four sections on resources are appended. They include: sample statements of board members' responsibilities and desirable qualifications; a survey of public governing board characteristics, policies,and practices; self-study criteria for public multicampus and system boards; and recommended readings keyed to chapters in this book. Contains an index and over 150 references. (JB)