The author of this article asserts that a board without bylaws is like an invertebrate animal, lacking a backbone. A college or university's bylaws should be reviewed as least annually, because legal and other mandates for institutions are multiplying continually. It is wise to avoid any and all bylaws that are not imperative in favor of more flexible policies or procedures that might well suffice on legal and policy grounds. Described herein are (1) Essential Content for Bylaws; (2) Term Limits and Institution Types; (3) Complying with New Mandates; and (4) How to Treat Standing Committees. (Contains 1 resource.)