As the National Assessment Governing Board marks its 20th anniversary, it looks back at its stewardship of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) with understandable pride. NAEP existed for 20 years before the Board was established to provide an independent governance structure for the assessment. During its first two decades, NAEP…

In 2006, in the wake of a spending scandal involving a former president, American University's Board of Trustees made several broad changes in its procedures to, among other things, become more active in overseeing the president. Observers of university governance expected trustees at other institutions to follow suit. But despite the attention…

All college presidents technically hold employment contracts. But whether the terms of those contracts are spelled out clearly is a different story. This article reports that in a survey of 165 public universities where such documents are considered public information, one-third of public university chiefs do not have formal written agreements.…

Theoretically, higher education professionals agree that public trusteeship matters, yet little attention is given to the influence trustees have on the performance of public higher education. This study examines the relationship between selection and appointment processes and state higher education performance. Findings show that top-performing…

Responsibilities placed on a governing body are profound--starting with governors' own performance and the achievement of the pupils. In recognition of the weight of duty placed upon them, every governing body has, by law, to appoint a clerk who is not a governor. Committees of the governing body may be clerked by governors, but the main meeting…

This chapter provides an overview of board governance, its effectiveness, and changes over more than four decades. The authors also offer strategies for creating partnerships between presidents and trustees that lead to future institutional success.

This study examined the perceptions and the difference between perceptions of Texas school superintendents and school board members. In addition the study provided research to identify skills for superintendent preparation programs at the university level that are essential for strong superintendent and board relations. The study revealed ways to…

This study's primary purpose was to examine whether or not there were differences in the roles community college boards of trustees and presidents said they currently perform and those they said they should perform. In addition, the study sought to determine whether or not the relationship between trustees and the president impacted the…

The legal terrain regarding institutions' rights for use of major charitable gifts has clarified somewhat in recent months. While this may encourage institutional fundraisers, it is also clear that extreme care still must be taken about the acceptance and terms set for use of transformational gifts. As recent lawsuits demonstrate, careful planning…

The purpose of this investigation was to obtain the names and addresses of members of governing boards of all 4-year colleges and universities in the US in order to provide data on the distribution of trustees by sex, by state of institutions served, and by region of residence. The list was then to be recorded to serve as a universe for future…

Current lay board membership was found to come from business owner/manager (35%), professional/technical (27%), and seven other occupational groups. Nearly half were college graduates. Membership qualifications were discussed. A poll of administrators showed that 98% preferred popular election for choosing members. Board responsibilities included…

The author speculates on the results of a change in perceptions of "community," currently seen as the territory of the taxpayer, with his right to set rules through his representative, the board of trustees. The board members, usually conservative businessmen, do not truly represent the community, but they hire the administrators and, through…

This publication is designed to provide trustees with a mechanism for discussing their roles and responsibilities as community and junior college trustees. This volume is a continuation of dialogue begun by board members interested in providing guidelines and directions for more effective communication among their peers. This second volume of…

This document presents a conversation between Dr. Clark Kerr, chairman of the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education, and Robert H. Zeffer, a radio newsman. Topics discussed encompass the attitudes of members of boards of trustees, the selection of board members, the role of the chairman of the board, and the role of the board of trustees. (MJM)

This handbook describes the rules and responsibilities of the officers of the New Jersey School Media Association, including: president; president elect; vice-president; recording secretary; corresponding secretary; treasurer; member-at-large; and committee members. Also included is a statement of procedures for reimbursement and a copy of the…