State policymakers and the public at large have a vested interest in the successful governance of their higher education institutions. The citizens who are appointed or elected to serve as board members of a state's colleges and universities oversee valuable public assets that they hold in trust for the state and for current and future…

When contemplating a major change to public higher education governance, state leaders should bear in mind several guiding principles. Such principles can ensure that current and future students will have access to an affordable, quality postsecondary education. They can also help ensure that the state's system of higher education meets public…

Board professionals play crucial planning, coordination, and support roles in the day-to-day life of college, university, and foundation governing boards. Their work is often conducted behind the scenes but is critical to board success and performance. The coronavirus-necessitated switch by higher education to new modes of operation, often at high…

Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) hold an iconic position within American higher education. But HBCUs are at an inflection point. While HBCUs include iconic liberal arts colleges and leading research universities, many struggle financially and are finding it difficult to perform well in terms of student enrollment, retention,…

Accreditation is a critical tool for quality assurance and accountability for higher education, signaling an institution's commitment to academic quality and fiscal integrity. The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) published this statement to help board…

Results from the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges' (AGB's) educational quality study are based on a 27-question web survey conducted between Nov. 15, 2017, and Jan. 15, 2018. The survey asked a combination of multiple-choice and open-ended questions about three aspects of educational quality that are pertinent to board…

Public higher education is a major recipient of state funding and resources. As such, public colleges and universities directly respond to state needs for higher education and are required to provide transparency in decision-making, which is codified in state open-meeting and record laws. These laws, often termed "sunshine laws," present…

The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) 2018 Trustee Index is the second annual survey of college and university board members about those issues they see as the most pressing facing the sector and the institutions they serve. This AGB survey, conducted in collaboration with Gallup, engaged trustees from across the…

Public colleges and universities have long turned to institutionally related foundations ("IRFs") to raise private support and manage endowments and other financial assets. From the start, however, IRFs have also served as vehicles enabling public institutions to engage in real estate transactions and related entrepreneurial ventures…

Board professionals provide critical support, planning, and coordination of important board functions. Their work is often unheralded and conducted behind the scenes, but it is critical to the success and performance of the board. Since 1991, the Association of Governing Boards (AGB) has surveyed this group to capture the changing nature of their…

The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) 2020 Trustee Index is the third annual survey of governing board members regarding matters imperative to the higher education sector, as well as to the colleges, universities, and multicampus systems they hold in trust. This AGB survey, conducted in collaboration with Gallup,…

Too often, boards spend too little time discussing student learning, student outcomes, and student success. As stewards of the whole of the institution, the oversight of educational quality is a primary obligation of governing boards. AGB--with support from the Teagle Foundation, an advisory committee, and teams from eight diverse…

State policymakers and the public at large have a vested interest in the successful governance of their higher education system. The citizens who are appointed or elected to serve as trustees and regents of the state's colleges and universities oversee valuable public assets that they hold in trust for the state and current and future…

The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) strives to continuously advance the practice of governance by designing and instilling best practices and advocating nationally on issues that affect higher education. AGB shares vital information and knowledge with members and provides customized consulting services to help…

This report is first in a series of informational briefings developed as part of "The Guardians Initiative: Reclaiming the Public Trust," an effort to educate and engage trustees as advocates on key issues in higher education. While the tone of public criticism of higher education has sharpened, public understanding about the sector's…