Schools working to raise student achievement need the help of an organized, focused central office. Yet many districts lack unified direction, agreement on the central office role in supporting school improvement, and coherence and alignment between goals and strategies. Drawing on the findings of a three-year study of several districts focused on…

The mission of the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), as the state coordinating board for community colleges, is to administer the Public Community College Act in a manner that maximizes the ability of the community colleges to serve their communities, promotes cooperation within the system, and accommodates those State of Illinois…

The Board of Governors adopted the State University System of Florida's Strategic Plan, 2005-2013 on June 9, 2005. The Board established system goals for 2012-2013 in the following areas: Goal 1: Access to and production of degrees; Goal 2: Meeting statewide professional and workforce needs; Goal 3: Building world-class academic programs and…

This paper proposes approaches for both strategic and operational reform and restructuring of higher education. An approach to strategic decision making requires a detailed examination of mission, clientele, programs, competitiveness, and strategic objectives. There are operational efficiencies that institutions can obtain with the proper…

This survey of theological schools collected information on institutional type, board membership, board organization, governing board-president relationships, pressing issues, board development activities, and relationships with other theological schools. The survey population included 161 member institutions of the Association of Theological…

In this report, the Commission considers a proposal by the Los Rios Community College District to establish an educational center in a rapidly growing and developing area of Sacramento called North Natomas. The center would be situated on 6.5 acres of land approximately 6 miles north of downtown Sacramento. The Commission finds that the…

The 22-member Commission on the Academic Presidency has examined the present higher education governance system in a context of rapid and substantial change. It found the presidency significantly weakened, particularly in the public sector, and has recommended a reform of shared governance and the president-board relationship. Key recommendations…

The processes of rebuilding the entire governing board and restructuring the damaged financial organization of Adelphi University (New York) are described. Legal issues are discussed, the role of the state board of regents in the investigation of the university's operation is examined, and the trustees' fiduciary duty of care is explored. (MSE)

The potential for conflict of interest in college and university trustees is high. A 1974 court decision (Stern vs. Sibley Memorial Hospital) established guidelines for trustees of nonprofit organizations, and a survey of 566 colleges and universities reveals how institutions are managing such conflicts through policy statements and…

Public-sector higher education plays a critical role within the larger environment of higher education opportunity. Public universities are not the sole players in meeting necessary state outcomes, but they are by far the largest producers of higher education outcomes in South Dakota. This Fact Book, for Fiscal Year 2007, is the single best source…

This essay presents the results of a study of the means that colleges and universities should use to assure proper accountability within the institution in regard to teaching and learning. It discusses the basis of institutional accountability, public perceptions of accountability (or lack thereof), the role of governments and market forces, the…

This report, the result of the reflection and study of a panel of 10 distinguished citizens in various fields, highlights key trends shaping the nation and its institutions into the next century. A summary letter to trustees and leaders outlines the panel's sense of urgency about changes that colleges and universities are not prepared to cope…

The St. Louis (Missouri) Regional Child Care Partnership was created in 1990 to improve child care in the St. Louis and Metro East areas, where the quality, availability, and affordability of child care are community-wide problems. The partnership was formed by the Child Day Care Association of St. Louis and the St. Louis branches of the Junior…

The MiraCosta College Academic Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Collegial Governance drafted this statement in order to provide a description of the college's governance structure, to address the added responsibilities for faculty as set forth by California's Assembly Bill (AB) 1725, and to make recommendations for the improvement of governance at the…

This volume offers a comprehensive look at independent college and university leadership, particularly trusteeship, in 20 papers by various authors. Part 1 contains papers on the context in which trustees must function: a blend of financial, demographic, social, legal, and planning issues. Part 2 covers key responsibilities of governing boards.…