The roles and responsibilities for board trustees of private and public colleges and universities are much the same. Colleges and universities also have governance structures much like other organizations. As it pertains to public and private schools, where matters are differentiated a bit is to whom the board of directors and others in leadership roles give their accountability. In private colleges and universities, the governing body is accountable to the shareholders and other stakeholders, particularly the students and their parents. In public colleges and universities, leadership is accountable to the state authorities and the citizens of the state.
