The governing boards discussed in this paper are those that have full and sole authority to govern each and all the institutions under its jurisdiction. They generally consist of a group of laymen appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate. There are 14 states in which such a board is statewide, in the sense that it governs all state…

There has been a trend in state government toward tighter and tighter centralization that, though done in the name of greater economy and efficiency, is in large part a reach for political power. Not all services of the state can be performed well if integrated into a single monolithic administrative pyramid with all other state services and…

Discusses the importance of policy-making autonomy for state universities and reviews several recent state court decisions affirming their substantial independence from interference by state legislatures or state boards of education. (JG)