This report examines student participation on the Board of Trustees. The report is divided into three main sections, each in itself only a general category. The first section reviews the notion of a Board of Trustees and examines briefly the characteristics of the lay governing board. The second section of the report deals with the nature of…

This issue deals with an important aspect of governance in a college or university--the role of the Board of Trustees in determining academic policy. In order to play a proper role in the making of sound academic policy, the Board of Trustees must take itself seriously in the choice it makes (if it does) of its members. A judiciously constituted…

Although government and order in colleges are the object of almost constant public discussion, there is little public discussion of the governing boards themselves. "Regent watching" should be encouraged because the regents, or the trustee model of university government, is better than its alternatives, and it should be studied, criticized, and…

This document describes the Ohio Board of Regents' Uniform Information System which became operational during the fall term of 1966. Incoming data are received on punched cards or magnetic tape from 35 state-assisted universities and colleges, separately describing operating conditions at a total of more than 55 campuses. All incoming reports…

Colleges and universities in the U.S. have historically been controlled by governing boards composed almost entirely of laymen; that is, composed almost entirely of individuals not involved in teaching or research. The purpose of a lay governing board is to represent the public interest, particularly with regard to expenditures. The theory is that…

A national survey of the individuals who serve as college governing board secretaries revealed highly varied institutional characteristics, job responsibilities, and overall roles in the organization. (MSE)

One of the major issues about college retirement programs is that of investment options and transferability of TIAA and/or CREF funds to alternative funds. Basic principles to be considered by college trustees involved in review or revision of their institution's pension plan are discussed. (MLW)

When a college president remains after a successor takes over, the potential for chaos is high. Suggestions from presidents and former presidents are presented. (MLW)

Important first steps in the search and selection process of presidents and chancellors are outlined by the director of the Association of Governing Boards' Presidential Search Consultation Service. Guidelines for a search, appointment of a search committee, staffing the search, timetable, and the board's charge to the committee are discussed.…

Lay governing boards must be made up of individuals representing diversity within the community, but not the representative of a single group or purpose, or the board's overall effectiveness, general welfare of the college, and the protection of public trust will be compromised. (MSE)

Colleges need to pay more attention to presenting their distinctive character to prospective financial supporters. A framework comprising eight dimensions representing a wide range of human ideals is discussed. The dimensions are: moral, intellectual, egalitarian, spiritual, socio-political, humane, personal development, and tradition. (MLW)

Details findings of a 1983 survey conducted to provide a demographic and political profile of trustees representing the 39 Illinois community college districts. Finds trustees' seats dominated by politically conservative, middle- and upper-middle-class White males, although recent trends are toward more female, minority, aggressive, visible, and…

Points out ways that community college trustees can be actively involved in the accreditation process, including participating in reviews of institutional mission and goals, committing themselves to long-range and strategic planning, serving where appropriate on self-study steering committees, meeting with evaluation and review teams, and publicly…

The best lobbyists for higher education are trustees, whose political power is that they can describe college concerns. Legislators want to know policy costs, who and how it will serve, what evidence there is of success, and who opponents will be and why. (MSE)

Presents a self-evaluation instrument for community college boards of trustees and advocates that all trustees consider accountability and self-evaluation as high priorities. (DC)