Discusses how students and administrators at Virginia Tech are angry that the governing board eliminated affirmative action and made other important decisions without consultation. (EV)

An analysis shows that public universities in states with systems that enhance political control and universities whose trustees are selected by nonacademic stakeholders charge significantly lower prices than universities located in state with decentralized systems and those in which trustees are selected by academic stakeholders. (Author/SLD)

Discusses why current economic pressures intensify the long-standing need for active orientation and education programs for incoming investment committee members. Describes knowledge necessary for such members. (EV)

Discusses why, given the tensions surrounding who has ultimate authority over academic programs, governing boards should approach the faculty with a focus on strategic leadership. (EV)

Consultants offer ideas to frustrated fund-raising administrators about dealing with reluctant, uncooperative, and uninformed trustees. (MSE)

The development and testing of a conceptual framework of board competencies is traced and alternative approaches to measurement are analyzed. There is a focus on issues of theory development, on the use of a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods, and on suggestions for further study. (Author/MLW)

With the variety of available investment options and a volatile securities market, it is vital that boards make wise choices about employee retirement programs. Issues to consider when discussing pension-plan changes are presented. (Author/MLW)

A thorough review of governing board bylaws will help ensure that the fundamental framework for the institution's governance is legally sound, up to date, and appropriate for its current circumstances. Serious bylaw reviews deal with fundamental college issues, and resulting discussions frequently identify basic issues or problems previously…

Addresses the responsibilities of public library trustees and recommends increasing their effectiveness through involvement in statewide library issues and local lobbying efforts. The discussion also covers length of term and absenteeism, ethics, and awards or citations for exemplary trustees. (Six references) (MES)

Seeks to place the post-9/11 risk agenda for colleges and universities in historical perspective by offering a refresher on some of the most serious perennial risks for U.S. higher education. Offers an eight-point road map of how to enhance boards' risk management efforts. (EV)

Encourages trustees, as educational leaders, to honestly evaluate the influence of organized sports on their institutions and U.S. culture, asserting that the values and behavioral expectations in the athletics community run counter to those essential to the functioning of a civil society. (EV)

Discusses indicators to help boards assess the vitality of their institution: (1) total financial resources per FTE student; (2) expendable financial resources to debt; (3) expendable financial resources to operations; (4) average peak debt-service coverage; (5) applicants to admits; (6) tuition rate changes; (7) enrollment levels; (8) retention…

Discusses conflicts of interest in higher education, offering rules of thumb for judging individual situations, tools to help board members address such conflicts, and possible standards to apply when considering conflicts of interest. Also touches on the need to be realistic and the importance of collegiality and trust. (EV)

Discusses factors that help or hinder progress in institutional change and the important role of governing boards in managing change. The advice is based on work by the American Council on Education with a diverse group of 23 colleges and universities on a range of large-scale institutional change initiatives as part of the Project on Leadership…

The 20 essays in this book will open eyes to what really goes on in the classroom and on the school board. The author draws on his extensive experience to examine some of the hottest educational issues including school reform, civic education, the function of honor societies, the decline of reading and writing skills, the role of guidance…