Governing boards provide oversight but do not manage day-to-day operations. Day-to-day management rests with the administration. Think of the boundaries between the two as with the administration and faculty—the administration may ensure programs meet accreditation standards but does not dictate course content. Faculty make those decisions. For public institutions, the governor or a governmental entity such as the state Legislature appoints board members. An institution may make recommendations or advocate for prospective board members. The appointment process includes an application and recommendations, vetting and approval as mandated by code. Political party affiliation, service and standing (whether professional or political), geographic distribution, and sometimes financial status serve as a basis for selection.
