Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges: Empowering Higher Education Governance

The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) stands as a vital nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening higher education through effective governance. Founded in 1921, AGB serves approximately 2,000 colleges, universities, and institutionally related foundations, providing resources and support to enhance the effectiveness of higher education governing boards.

A Legacy of Leadership in Higher Education Governance

Established in 1921, AGB was originally known as the Association of Governing Boards of State Universities and Allied Institutions. Over the decades, AGB has evolved to meet the changing needs of higher education, remaining steadfast in its commitment to advancing excellence in board governance and responsible trusteeship.

Mission and Vision: Championing Higher Education as a Public Good

AGB's mission is to advance higher education as a public good by preparing college, university, and foundation governing boards to fulfill their fiduciary duties and exemplify the highest ideals of trusteeship. The organization's vision is to achieve excellence in all board governance and responsible trusteeship to empower vibrant higher education, inclusive democracy, and a flourishing society.

Organizational Structure and Independence

AGB operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, governed by a board of directors. The organization maintains its independence by providing services and support to governing boards without engaging in accreditation or direct oversight of academic programs. AGB's independence allows it to serve as a neutral and trusted resource for governing boards across the higher education landscape.

AGB's Role in Supporting Accreditation

While AGB does not engage in accreditation activities, it plays a crucial role in supporting the accreditation process by preparing governing boards to fulfill their fiduciary duties and exemplify the highest ideals of trusteeship. By equipping boards with the knowledge and skills necessary to govern effectively, AGB indirectly contributes to the quality and integrity of higher education institutions.

Read also: Learning by Doing: The AEE Story

Collaboration and Influence in Higher Education

AGB collaborates with various higher education organizations to promote effective governance practices. Through these partnerships, AGB amplifies its impact and contributes to a more cohesive and collaborative higher education community. AGB continues to influence higher education by providing resources, research, and support to governing boards. Recent reports highlight top public policy issues facing governing boards, including affordability and value, accountability and regulation, judicial rulings, political intrusion, federal and state funding, and college athletics.

Key Services and Initiatives

AGB offers a range of services and initiatives designed to support governing boards in their critical roles. These include:

AGB Membership: AGB membership empowers higher education chief executives, board members, board professionals, and senior leaders to understand governance; how to work collaboratively to oversee their institution, system, or foundation; and how to lead through strategic challenges and opportunities.
AGB Consulting: AGB provides custom support to drive strategic outcomes. A team of senior-level higher education veterans, board members, former presidents, and subject matter experts work with boards to drive strategic outcomes. Through its service AGB Consulting, AGB provides help developing new business models.
AGB OnBoard: AGB offers efficient, secure meeting solutions. AGB OnBoard transforms meetings from operational presentations to strategic working sessions through a software platform designed specifically for higher education.
National Conference on Trusteeship: AGB holds annual conferences that are a call to higher education leaders to think creatively as they manage the present and simultaneously lay the foundation for the future.
The John W. Nason Award for Trusteeship: In 2004, AGB established the John W. Nason Award for Trusteeship. This award was named for John W.

Addressing Contemporary Challenges in Higher Education Governance

Governing boards in higher education must focus now more than ever on strategic leadership of their institutions and foundations to ensure institutional vitality and student success. It is critical that they reinforce the value of higher education, innovate through the effective use of technology, and serve the needs of a shifting demographic. AGB strives to continuously advance the practice of governance by designing and instilling best practices and advocating nationally on issues that affect higher education.

AGB is addressing contemporary challenges in higher education in the following ways:

Reexamining Board Governance: In 2013, AGB formed a commission of former and current leaders to reexamine how boards and regents govern higher education. The National Commission on College and University Board Governance was chaired by Philip N.
Promoting Shared Governance: In 2016, AGB performed a study on shared governance and four principles that trustees should follow concerning shared governance.
Addressing Campus Culture and Free Speech: In 2017, AGB published a report focused on campus culture and free speech.
Supporting Business Model Vitality: In the joint publication Collaborative Leadership for Higher Education Business Model Vitality from AGB, NACUBO, Baker Tilly, and the Council of Independent Colleges, primary author Stephen T.
Promoting Equity in Student Success: AGB launched a digital toolkit for higher ed boards to improve equitable student success.

The Role of the Board Professional

Board professionals guide and advise a board and president but are not a part of any decision making. The Board Professional Certificate Program is available for higher education.

Read also: Vanderbilt University Alumni

AGB Search: Connecting Institutions with Exceptional Leaders

AGB Search is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Association of Governing Boards.

AGB's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

AGB Issues Guidelines to Help Institutions Tackle Justice, Equity and Inclusion Issues.

Historic Data on Governing Boards

In 2010, the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) surveyed higher education governing boards in the United States regarding board composition and selected policies and practices. AGB has conducted similar research since the mid-1980s. This report summarizes the data and examines trends for independent college and university governing boards, based on surveys completed by representatives from more than 500 independent institutions. A separate report summarizes the results of a survey of public colleges, universities, and systems. The report provides trustees, presidents, staff, and scholars with a basis for comparing the attributes of their own institutions' boards with those of other institutions.

The survey results reveal the range of practices and trends with regard to the following: (1) board member demographics including age, gender, race and ethnicity, and occupations; (2) student, faculty, and alumni board members; (3) board size; (4) length of terms for trustees and chairs; (5) written policies for removing board members; (6) attendance; (7) annual contributions from trustees; (8) trustee service on other types of boards; (9) use of executive sessions; (10) frequency and length of meetings; (11) most common committees; (12) board Web sites, voting electronically, and participating in committee meetings electronically; (13) presidential search; and (14) board education and assessment practices.

Read also: Supporting South High Students

tags: #association #of #governing #boards #of #universities