How University Boards Work: A Guide for Trustees, Officers, and Leaders in Higher Education

Author:   Robert A. Scott (President Emeritus of Adelphi University)
Publisher:   Johns Hopkins University Press
Edition:   second edition
ISBN:  

9781421454283


Pages:   248
Publication Date:   21 April 2026
Format:   Paperback
Availability:   Manufactured on demand   Availability explained


Our Price $68.99 Quantity:  
Pre-Order

Share |

How University Boards Work: A Guide for Trustees, Officers, and Leaders in Higher Education


Overview

A completely updated guide to helping university trustees become effective stewards of their institutions. Boards of trustees hold immense responsibility in guiding the future of colleges and universities. They hire and fire presidents, approve and monitor strategy, oversee finances, and safeguard institutional missions and autonomy. Yet many trustees enter this role with limited understanding of the distinct culture, structure, and values of the academic institutions they are selected to govern. In this second edition of How University Boards Work, former university president Robert A. Scott offers a practical and candid guide for navigating the complexities of academic board service. Originally published in 2018 and widely adopted in board development programs, this updated edition incorporates insights gleaned from years of training sessions, executive coaching, and a radically altered higher education landscape. Elements unique to this edition include: • A new preface addressing the contemporary pressures affecting higher education governance, including political interference, enrollment challenges, changing public attitudes, tuition pricing, overall costs and ROI, and post-pandemic adaptations. • Expanded guidance on key topics such as consent agendas, indicators of institutional vitality and vulnerability, risk assessment, and succession planning. • Updated index entries and terminology reflecting evolving governance concerns such as cybersecurity and free speech. With illustrative examples of effective and problematic board behavior and actionable suggestions for trustee development, How University Boards Work remains the definitive primer for trustees of both public and private institutions.

Full Product Details

Author:   Robert A. Scott (President Emeritus of Adelphi University)
Publisher:   Johns Hopkins University Press
Imprint:   Johns Hopkins University Press
Edition:   second edition
Dimensions:   Width: 12.70cm , Height: 1.70cm , Length: 20.30cm
Weight:   0.263kg
ISBN:  

9781421454283


ISBN 10:   1421454289
Pages:   248
Publication Date:   21 April 2026
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Forthcoming
Availability:   Manufactured on demand   Availability explained

Table of Contents

Table of Contents PREFACE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Introduction: Why a Guide? 1. Historical and Structural Framework of Governance 2. Board Responsibilities 3. Board Membership 4. Processes and Procedures 5. Strategic Leadership 6. Leading Higher Education into the Future EXERCISES APPENDIXES A Performance Review of the President B Orientation Packet C Bylaws D Board Meeting Agenda E Confidential Periodic Report of the President F Dean's Report G Transition Memorandum H Model Succession Planning Memorandum NOTES WORKS CITED SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER READING INDEX

Reviews

Author Information

Robert A. Scott is the president emeritus of Adelphi University and of Ramapo College of New Jersey.

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Countries Available

All regions
Latest Reading Guide

April RG 26_2

 

Shopping Cart
Your cart is empty
Shopping cart
Mailing List