Speaking in his capacity as trustee, the author deals with the role of trustees in academic decisionmaking. He emphasizes the pivotal nature of that role, arguing that because the institution's basic activity is public business, the management of it must clearly link reasonability with public accountability. He supports the prevailing faculty view that trustees have little business in the classrooms. He suggests that one function of the trustees should be to bring a broad experience of the world to bear on academic decisionmaking. At the same time, however, the businessman-trustee should recognize that there are special elements in academic life that may require some specialized experience as well. The board can make itself felt most effectively in academic matters by focusing its attention on people, on a responsible concern for the nature and welfare of the faculty body. Finally, trustees should also take the trouble to keep themselves informed about broad issues in education and about affairs of their own institutions. (Author/PG)