Community colleges provide access to higher education and workforce development opportunities for a significant portion of the nation's population. This vital sector is facing unprecedented challenges related to declining public appropriations and enhanced external scrutiny. Relevant outcome measures for the sector have changed, and there is a…

Controversies over higher education governance are in the news these days. The most recent occurred this summer when several members of the board of the University of Virginia asked the president, Teresa A. Sullivan, to resign, only to be forced to reinstate her after protests from students, faculty, donors, alumni, and others. That situation…

Father Theodore M. Hesburgh served as president of the University of Notre Dame from 1952-1987 and is recognized as one of the most successful university presidents in history. He was very involved in both matters pertaining to the university and those affecting the larger world. One of his most important achievements during his tenure was turning…

With all the trials and tribulations, the job of a university president is one of the most rewarding. Yet, like every other aspect of society, the academic presidency has changed over the last several decades. A surprise turn of events gave the author an opportunity to reflect on the "then and now" question. Having served as president of…

For at least four decades, the University of California has been the international gold standard in public higher education. The system's 10 campuses are magnets for top-notch faculty members and students. With an annual budget of $18-billion, the university includes five medical centers and three national laboratories. And one of every 10 members…

Ideally, a college board of trustees is the final authority that also delegates almost every function. However, the specific things the board does are related to how it was formed and what it was created to do. Some traditions and expectations are outlined. (Author/MSE)

Conflict between a president and a governing board can be reduced by third party intervention. Before a board changes presidents, trustees should seek the best available outside analysts to help clarify issues and circumstances and identify possible alternative courses. (MLW)

Conflict between president and governing board or within the governing board can be reduced, it is suggested, through informal third-party intervention. Some broad categories of conflict are named including the finance dilemma, the divided board, the domineering individual, the special interest syndrome, and the breakdown in confidence. (MLW)

The world of system chief executive officers (CEOs), including how their responsibilities differ from those of campus presidents, is discussed by the chancellor of the University System of South Texas. The system CEO's responsibilities include nurturing, leading, and managing. (MLW)

A reversal in the decline of strong college presidents is occurring, and governing boards are realizing their responsibility to set the stage for assertive, enlightened presidential leadership and then to support their administrations. (MSE)

Cogovernance refers to the process of administrators consulting academicians, through committees of faculty members. Competitiveness, rapid change, and the uncertainty that arises from the absence of assured funding underlies the strength of American college presidents. In contrast to the administrative professionals, members of academic senate…

The distinction between college policy and administration may sometimes be fine but is essential for presidents and boards to understand. Two-way commmunication and consideration are important; trustees and presidents must work together and keep each other informed. (MSE)

Results of a study of 100 fund-raising foundations linked to state colleges and universities found that most are neither tightly controlled by nor highly independent of the institutions. Governance within the foundations and relationships between foundations and institutions are examined. Recommendations for solidifying that relationship are…

Problems for boards, presidents and the professoriate are cited and some strategies for dealing with them are suggested. Some pressures are identified, including adaptation of institutional structures and curricula to needs of the individual and society; and the admission, retention, and graduation of women, minority, low-income and disadvantaged…

In a national survey, public university faculty, presidents, trustees, coordinating boards, and legislators (total n=251) identified where they felt authority effectively rested for five typical university-related decisions and where they believed authority should rest. Although most believed in campus-based decisions, there was some disagreement…