A survey was conducted in the fall of 1976, prompted by two concerns: (1) the dearth of background information on the thousands of men and women who serve as trustees and regents on governing boards, and (2) many preconceptions about the characteristics of board members. Information was gathered on boards of single- and multicampus colleges and universities. A board profile revealed that: (1) 85 percent of the 47,000 board members are in the private sector of higher education; (2) 164 multicampus boards govern 886 institutions enrolling more than one-half of all students; (3) private boards average 26 members, whereas public institution boards average nine members; and (4) nationally, three to ten trustees must be elected from designated constituencies or special groups, with as many as six percent from alumni. A trustee profile shows that: (1) 15 percent of all trustees are women; (2) 3 to 14 percent (averaging 7 percent) are minority group members; (3) 90 percent have at least a bachelor's degree, while 32 percent have a professional degree; (4) two-thirds are over 50, while one in ten is under 40; (5) nearly one-fourth are doctors, lawyers, or members of the clergy; (6) 13 percent are in education, and one percent is students; and (7) 19 percent hold trusteeships on more than one governing board. (MSE)