It is no secret that plenty of colleges and universities are struggling to remain solvent in the face of competition for students, rising operational costs, and deteriorating physical plants. Insiders also know of prestigious institutions that are sliding toward mediocrity as they quietly lower standards to fill the first-year class, allow…

Urges governing boards at public colleges and universities to support budgeting for performance as a means of assuring public accountability while protecting academic autonomy. Considers performance incentives, the role of performance indicators, the distinction between performance funding and performance budgeting, possible problems, and the role…

The search process for a new president at Salisbury State University (Maryland) yielded lessons for other institutions operating under open meeting (sunshine) laws. Factors found important in the process include search committee cohesiveness, committee leadership viewed by constituencies as open and objective, a single voice speaking for the…

In its search for a new president, the University of Michigan was forced, under open meeting laws, to invent a semi-public search, with governing board members unable to talk privately with search advisory committee members. However, the four outstanding candidates were brought into the process before it became public; next time, the search might…

The State University of New York's chancellor and trustees devised an annual performance report to show constituents that they value accountability. The use of performance indicators would indicates how well the multicampus system meets its goals and provides data to enhance requests for more state funds and less regulation. (Author/MSE)

Discusses the changing missions of public comprehensive universities and regional colleges in terms of access to education and economic development, the economic context faced by college graduates today, general skills needed for the 21st century careers and life, and the importance of collaboration with other social institutions. (DB)

A study of interim presidencies at public research universities draws on interviews with 20 former interim presidents concerning their selection, expectations, accommodations, roles, and relationships, and the institutional and personal effects of the interim presidency. Ten suggestions for supporting an interim administrator and facilitating the…

It is not enough for university governing boards and chief executives to decide the system must change; leadership must convince constituents that everyone has something to gain. When the University of Maryland's campuses could not reach consensus in paring programs, the system board stepped in to foster collaboration and cooperation. (Author/MSE)

The author of recommended reforms for public college and university governing boards that had been outlined in an Association of Governing Boards policy paper, responds to criticism of the reform strategies and expands on his suggestions in four areas: the call for larger boards; merit selection of trustees; greater trustee philanthropy; and…

It is suggested that the most important difference between public and private colleges, from the president's perspective, is the nature of the board of trustees. Private boards are seen as more cohesive, proceeding with more civility, and better advocates for their institutions, attributable to differences in membership, legal constraints, size,…

Summarizes an Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges study concerning state officials' perceptions of citizen governing boards and academic governance in public institutions. Findings and recommendations are outlined in five areas: preparing for the future; serving the public interest; navigating a new political environment;…

A reexamination of recommended reforms for public college and university governing boards, outlined in an Association of Governing Boards policy paper, suggests that borrowing approaches from private higher education will not necessarily solve the challenges facing private education. Issues discussed include the board's role and functions,…