More and more taxpayers and policy makers across America are becoming concerned about the increasing lack of transparency of public college and university boards of trustees. There exist concerns that these boards are conducting business behind close doors where no record of what was discussed or what decisions were made by these boards. Also what are the priority policy issues from a board perspective that should be addressed or are the boards just acting on recommendations of administration. How does the board decide what is an administrative issue and what is a policy issue and how does the taxpayer/citizen know what factors went into that decision/definition? Some believe that there exists too many "grey zones" on policy versus administration.
Both on campuses and off campus citizens are asking how are these boards being evaluated and by whom? Self evaluations? Board evaluation committee to evaluate each board member that works with individual board members on their strengths and weaknesses? How shall we remove board members who are dysfunctional and/or disruptive? How does the public who funds the colleges and universities get the information on these questions? Have boards at public college and universities become thought of as an "honorary" position versus a position of responsibility to set policy for their institution or higher education system?
Increasingly there seems to be a need for more board training and development. What systems are in place to educate board members on best practices and standards for university governance from a board level? How do we assure that boards are actively involved in the development of mission statements, value statements and strategic plans? How do we develop strong board leadership to assure all this happens effectively and that the entire board can be involved in important transitions at colleges and universities when presidents/CEOs leave and arrive at the institution.
Also how shall we measure the knowledge and information levels of individual board members about their institutions values. cultures, budgets, priorities, etc., etc.? How can we assure that board members understand the culture and operations of campus sectors like faculty, alumni, students, administrators, diversity, etc., etc? The public should have access to this information as it is developed and implemented.
Showing up on campus three or four times a year for board meetings and listening to administrative reports is no longer acceptable for leadership in the public square. Being at a couple of alumni or athletic events is no longer acceptable for leadership and governance in the public square. What is needed are models similar to corporate and larger non profit governance that require public and shareholder involvement, transparency and information. More work, discussion and development of best practices in public college and university governance, evaluation and transparency are urgently needed.
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/12/09/report-outlines-trustee-frustrations-over-transparency-and-finances?utm_source=Inside+Higher+Ed&utm_campaign=1093a31c03-DNU20151209&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1fcbc04421-1093a31c03-198145669
