At a time of widespread concerns about quality, cost and accountability in higher education, the importance of the lay governing board has never been greater. Lay governance is the means by which the perspective of informed citizens is brought to the heart of the university. And, in the best of all worlds, it provides a vehicle for thoughtful…

Confusion and conflict between college administration and policy formation are discussed. A reformulation of trustee, administrator, and faculty responsibility is proposed in which policy-making and implementation are shared, in varying proportions according to institution size and type, and in which the administration is encouraged to formulate…

Suggests that one result of student activism in past decades was the formalization of student participation. Proposes student influence may be declining due to career interests and increases in state control. Outlines developments affecting student power in the 80's: campus government, student membership on trustee boards, and student lobbies.…

An elected trustee assumes a new responsibility that implies hard work and generous commitment. Some observations about the character of the society in which colleges will be functioning and what this portends for board membership are discussed. (Author/MLW)

South Carolina University student activity in the Special Olympics for mentally retarded youngsters and dozens of other community and fund-raising activities are described. In six months they generated $63,000 in contributions. Students are concluded to be national as well as community resources. (Author/MLW)

Securing a "repository organization" to preserve records, transcripts, memorabilia, and otherwise serve the alumni of a closed institution is seen as crucial. The problem of library holdings, preserving the traditions, linking the constituencies, helping the faculty relocate, and the importance of advance planning are discussed. (MLW)

The generally accepted view of tenure as that of an unbreakable relationship has actually grown out of institutional practices rather than from precise judicial doctrines. The courts have upheld a variety of "bona fide" causes based on unsatisfactory performance, as well as financial exigency. (MLW)

Ten categories and subcategories of governance type for state higher education institutions in the United States are outlined. Historical and legal precedent for the two major components of these governance types (coordinating and governing boards) are examined and the appropriateness and conflicts in their roles are discussed. (MSE)

The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) offers members the AGB Board Mentor Service to assist trustees and their chief executives in conducting a workshop to assess and improve board performance. The service is one-time, maximum-impact, and designed to encourage boards to continue improving. (JMD)

The system of competency tests used by the University of Georgia System is examined. Arguments for and against the tests developed by the state board of regents are presented, and the issue of racial discrimination is also addressed. (JMF)

The author examines teaching in Canada as a self-regulating profession, in comparison to other professions in Ontario and to teaching in Scotland. Trends are noted toward inclusion of lay members and government representatives on governing bodies and toward greater control over professional education and certification. (SJL)

Calls for presidential evaluations resulting from accountability demands are discussed. A summary of the literature is detailed and various models are described including: Los Angeles Community College District "civil service model," Ad Hoc Committee Model, Minnesota State University System Model, and FIPSE Model. (Author/MLW)

The business community must manage its philanthropy with the same deliberateness and pragmatism it generally conducts in business activities. Issues covered are: financing of people who undermine the free enterprise system, academic freedom, collectivist society under limitless government, discernment in giving, and guidelines to ensure that…

The Republic of China has based its economic and cultural progress on a strong national education program stressing quality. AGB visitors to Taiwanese universities noted Spartan surroundings, well-equipped libraries and labs, and students intent on learning. (Author/MLW)

It is important for governing boards to understand that faculty see themselves less as employees than as officers of the institution, charged with constantly seeking the best for their discipline even if the values they advance seem at odds with those of the administration or board. They cherish collegiality, direct communication, and respect for…