Higher education boards can be confusing. Knowing the function, purpose and who serves on the board illuminates which body has the authority to make decisions—or only to influence decision making. The three types of boards (with sometimes overlapping roles) include governing, fiduciary and advisory. A set of legally binding rules called bylaws dictates the role of a board and the actions of its members. The following narrative delineates the hierarchy of higher education boards, their roles and member criteria. The institution’s board of trustees (also called the board of visitors, regents, governors, fellows, supervisors or overseers) governs by making decisions about institutional plans, programs, budgets, policies, risk management and certain employment matters as recommended by the administration.
