(from PopeCenter.org):

By Anne Neal

Colleges and universities are complex operations—often with billion-dollar budgets. The stakes are high: what happens on our campuses affects not only students but the society at large.

The ultimate responsibility in higher education rests with the governing boards of trustees. If trustees are to be thoughtful overseers, they need to be informed about the role of the board, higher education issues generally and the challenges facing their state and their campuses. Their knowledge of such matters cannot be taken for granted; they need focused, ongoing education.

So it should come as no surprise that, in recent months, we have seen a range of policymakers looking at training trustees. Legislators in Texas, for example, have mandated sessions for trustees on ethics, conflict of interest laws, and budgeting practices. The Alabama and Massachusetts legislatures are considering similar legislation. CONTINUE READING HERE