Board of Trustees

Short Definition

Board of Trustees is a governing body responsible for overseeing the administration and financial affairs of an institution of higher education.

In-depth Overview

Board of Trustees

Long definition: The Board of Trustees, often referred to simply as the "Board", is a governing body that provides leadership and oversight for higher education institutions, including universities and colleges. The Board is responsible for setting the institution's strategic direction, policies and financial priorities. Its duties include appointing and evaluating the institution's president or chancellor, approving budgets, reviewing academic programs and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Board members are typically prominent individuals from various backgrounds, such as business, academia and the community, who serve voluntarily or are elected to their positions. The Board's primary goal is to safeguard the institution's mission, promote its long-term sustainability and maintain its commitment to academic excellence.

Etymology: The term "trustee" is derived from the Old English word "trēowth", which means "faithfulness" or "loyalty". In a modern context, trustees are individuals entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the institution's faithfulness to its mission and the best interests of its stakeholders.

Synonyms or related academic terms:

• Board of Governors
• Board of Regents
• Governing Board

Examples of Use:

1. The Board of Trustees met to discuss the university's strategic plan and financial priorities for the upcoming year.
2. The appointment of a new president was announced following the Board of Trustees' extensive search and evaluation process.

Translations:

• Spanish: Junta de Fideicomisarios
• French: Conseil d'administration
• German: Verwaltungsrat
• Italian: Consiglio di amministrazione
• Portuguese: Conselho de Administração
• Japanese: 理事会 (Rijikai)
• Chinese (Simplified): 董事会 (Dǒngshìhuì)
• Hindi: ट्रस्टी बोर्ड (Ṭrasṭī Bōrd)

Visitors interested in learning more about the roles and responsibilities of a Board of Trustees in higher education institutions can explore related information through the uniRank World Universities Search Engine.

unirank Glossary Classification

Miscellaneous higher education terms > University administrative divisions