New Jersey's decentralization of governance in public higher education is examined after one year. The discussion looks at the evolution of the change, its goals, the extent to which increased autonomy in institutional governance serves the public interest, and the ways in which the restructuring affects trustees' views and their exercise of…

After 15 years as president of Miami-Dade Community College, marked by honors and accolades, Robert H. McCabe is retiring after continuing disputes with trustees. The problems' beginning coincided with appointment of three minority governing board members, who encouraged faculty critical of the president to be more vocal. McCabe also points to…

The challenge for the college governing board is to use the assets of the institution's known past as a foundation for planning for the largely unknown future. They must handle the difficult tasks of replacing a president, responding to legitimate new demands, and avoiding institutional stagnation. (MSE)

A survey of 1,321 administrators, 927 trustees, and 1,158 department heads in 332 4-year colleges and universities examined the independent and conditional effects of organizational culture type and level of consensus about mission on the institutions' organizational effectiveness. Implications of results for enhancing effectiveness are discussed.…

Governing boards in the United States and Canada have similar structures and wrestle with similar problems, but representation of faculty, staff, and students is more common on Canadian boards. Canadian institutions face a more difficult economic climate than their United States counterparts but are less preoccupied with forecast demographic…

The experience of Tufts University (Massachusetts) with environmental engineering has shown that efforts to reduce adverse environmental effects on campus need champions who can push the issues forward and who have the authority to act. The demonstrated commitment of top management is essential to a successful program. (Author/MSE)

Describes the National Council for Resource Development's annual Executive Institute, a team-training weekend during which presidents learn from other presidents, trustees from other trustees, etc., the skills of fund raising. Explains the roles of development team members and the issues tackled during the institute. (DMM)

Channeling the energy of volunteer boards of parents and community members can produce unexpected dividends. At Alma College (Michigan), a parent board raises $250,000 annually and helps recruit new students. A formal and communicative relationship between advisory board and governing board is essential for effective operation. (Author/MSE)

Given the right incentives, many college faculty will retire early. With mandatory retirement of tenured faculty soon to be abolished, institutions may need to revamp their pension plans and introduce voluntary retirement-incentive options. These options include phased- and full-retirement programs. (Author/MSE)

Role of boardroom table shape in college/university governing board decision making is considered. Boards are urged to consider whether boardroom table and room design accurately reflect institutional/group culture and whether they lead to information sharing and collaboration. A semicircular table design is seen as directing energy toward a…

In a campus crisis, while administrators address immediate needs, trustees must find a balance between involvement and oversight. Trustees should respond by developing a worst-case strategy; establishing early warning systems; defining "due diligence"; emphasizing candor and honesty; picking one spokesperson; protecting institutional privacy;…

According to this author, it may not be the first instinct of the typical professor to ask trustees to become involved in issues of academic quality. Most professors' instincts were formed in a different time and they may have forgotten how much the academic world has changed. Professors used to defend high academic standards, the liberal arts,…

The Houston Community College (HCC) 2011-2012 Fact Book provides statistical information about the college district. It is important for the reader to be aware that data presented in this publication may differ slightly from statistics found in other district reports. Such variances may result from differences methodology including the source of…

Raising funds, enhancing endowments, and monitoring institutional finances have long been key responsibilities of college and university trustees. Individually and collectively, trustees are expected to contribute financially in support of their institutions. What's more, a common factor in a board's assessment of trustee effectiveness includes…

In 1991-92, there were two strikes at community colleges in Illinois. Interviews were conducted with representatives of the faculty unions and management at both colleges, regarding the relationship between negotiation processes and strikes. Study findings included the following: (1) both management and union spokespersons felt that strikes…