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Governing Higher Education: A Historical Perspective

Diego Blair

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Published in The Academic Corporation: A History Of College And University Governing Boards (RoutledgeFalmer Studies In Higher Education 416)

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The governance of colleges and universities has a long and complex history. The first universities were established in Europe in the 12th century, and they were typically governed by a group of scholars who elected a rector to lead the institution. Over time, the governance of universities became more centralized, and by the 19th century, most universities were governed by a board of trustees or regents.

The Academic Corporation: A History of College and University Governing Boards (RoutledgeFalmer Studies in Higher Education 416)

The Academic Corporation: A History of College and University Governing Boards (RoutledgeFalmer Studies in Higher Education Book 416)

by Arthur Schnitzler

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	293 pages

In the United States, the governance of colleges and universities has been shaped by a number of factors, including the religious affiliations of the institutions, the state constitutions, and the federal government. The first colleges in the United States were founded by religious denominations, and they were typically governed by a board of trustees that was appointed by the denomination. As the states began to establish public universities, they typically created boards of regents that were appointed by the governor or the legislature. The federal government has also played a role in the governance of colleges and universities, particularly through the provision of funding and the regulation of student loans.

The Role of Governing Boards

Governing boards play a critical role in the governance of colleges and universities. They are responsible for setting the institution's mission and goals, approving the budget, and hiring and firing the president. Governing boards also play a role in overseeing the academic and financial affairs of the institution.

The composition of governing boards varies from institution to institution. Some boards are composed entirely of faculty members, while others are composed of a mix of faculty, staff, students, and community members. The size of governing boards also varies, but most boards have between 10 and 20 members.

The Challenges of Governing Boards

Governing boards face a number of challenges, including:

The need to balance the interests of different constituencies, including faculty, staff, students, and community members.
The need to make decisions that are in the best interests of the institution, even when those decisions are unpopular.
The need to comply with a growing number of regulations.

The Future of Governing Boards

The future of governing boards is uncertain. Some experts believe that the role of governing boards will become less important as colleges and universities become more autonomous. Others believe that governing boards will continue to play a critical role in the governance of higher education.

One of the most important challenges facing governing boards is the need to adapt to the changing landscape of higher education. The rise of online education and the increasing diversity of the student population are two factors that are forcing governing boards to rethink their traditional approaches to governance.

Governing boards must also be prepared to deal with the increasing scrutiny that they are facing from the public and the government. In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile cases of governing board misconduct, which have led to calls for greater transparency and accountability.

Despite these challenges, governing boards remain an essential part of the governance of colleges and universities. They play a critical role in setting the institution's mission and goals, approving the budget, and hiring and firing the president. Governing boards also play a role in overseeing the academic and financial affairs of the institution.

The future of governing boards is uncertain, but they will continue to play a critical role in the governance of higher education. Governing boards must be prepared to adapt to the changing landscape of higher education and to deal with the increasing scrutiny that they are facing from the public and the government.

The governance of colleges and universities is a complex and challenging task. Governing boards play a critical role in the governance of these institutions, and they face a number of challenges, including the need to balance the interests of different constituencies, the need to make decisions that are in the best interests of the institution, and the need to comply with a growing number of regulations.

The Academic Corporation: A History of College and University Governing Boards (RoutledgeFalmer Studies in Higher Education Book 416)

by Arthur Schnitzler

5 out of 5