This statement responds to the need for all higher education leaders to consider the perspectives of external voices while resisting purely political or ideological agendas. Long-standing and recent external challenges to the traditions of citizen governing boards of colleges and universities make it necessary to distinguish between broad, often healthy, social trends that inevitably influence higher education and the more localized external pressures that can irreparably damage the institution of citizen self-government. In appropriate external influences on a governing board have great potential to skew an institution's priorities and compromise its capacity to serve the public interest. This statement outlines some principles for maintaining accountability, independence, and the public trust. These are: (1) recommit to the primacy of the board over individual members; (2) keep the mission as a beacon; (3) respect the board as both a buffer and a bridge; (4) exhibit exemplary public behavior; and (5) keep academic freedom central. (SLD)