Results (
Indonesian) 1:
[Copy]Copied!
Governing BoardsUnderstanding the Expectations of theMiddle States Commission on Higher EducationStandard 4 (Leadership and Governance) of the accreditation standards of the MiddleStates Commission on Higher Education describes the Commission’s expectations for a system of collegial governance. Perhaps the most frequent questions raised about this standard concern the institutional governing body, which is one element of an institutionalgovernance system. A portion of Standard 4 states, “The governance structure includes anactive governing body with sufficient autonomy to assure institutional integrity and to fulfill its responsibilities of policy and resource development.” These guidelines are intendedto clarify the Commission’s expectations regarding institutional governing boards and therole they play in the institution and its governance system. Refer to the Commission’s publication Characteristics of Excellence for the full text of this standard, including portions addressing other aspects of institutional governance.What is a Governing Body?A governing body—which may be called a governing board, board of directors, board oftrustees, board of governors, or board of regents, among other titles—is the highest governing authority within the organizational and governance structures of the institution. It isthe body ultimately accountable for the academic quality, fiscal and academic integrity, academic planning, assets, and financial health of the institution.This guide uses the terms “governing board” and “board” to refer to the governing body addressed in Standard 4.What Are the Responsibilities of a Governing Board?While a governing board’s specific duties vary depending on the nature of the institution,the Commission expects the board to fulfill the responsibilities articulated in Standard 4and Requirement of Affiliation 9, including:• Assuming responsibility for the quality and integrity of the institution;• Assuming responsibility for ensuring that the institution’s mission is being carried out;• Fulfilling the board’s fiduciary responsibilities;• Certifying to the Commission that the institution is in compliance with the Requirements of Affiliation, accreditation standards, and policies of the Commission;• Describing itself in identical terms to all its accrediting and regulatory agencies;• Communicating any changes in its accredited status;• 6 •• Agreeing to disclose any information required by the Commission to carry out its accrediting responsibilities;• Assisting in generating resources needed to sustain and improve the institution;• Periodically, objectively assessing the governing body in meeting its stated objectives;• Appointing a chief executive officer (hereafter referred to as the president) with primary responsibility to the institution and delegating appropriate responsibilities tothat individual; and
• Periodically assessing the effectiveness of institutional leadership and governance.
Other fundamental responsibilities of a governing board normally include the following:
• Making and delegating decisions that are in the best interests of the institution and its
constituents;
• Ensuring institutional and governing board adherence to the highest standards of integrity;
• Protecting constituent and public interests in the institution;
• Advocating for and, when necessary, defending the institution;
• Ensuring that the institution’s core purposes and values are fulfilled through development and oversight of institutional policies and operations;
• Appointing and supporting the president or chief executive officer and monitoring his
or her performance;
• Enhancing the institution’s ability to fulfill its core values and purposes;
• Serving as a steward of institutional resources provided by others (which may include
tuition and fees paid by students and their families, endowments and other gifts, foundation grants, government appropriations, funding and support provided by a sponsor
or corporate owner, and the time and talent provided by institutional faculty, administrators and staff), ensuring that these resources are used wisely, prudently, with integrity, and in the institution’s best interests; and
• Participating actively and appropriately in accreditation and reaccreditation
processes, as described in the Commission’s accreditation handbooks.
The Importance of an Active, Involved, and Informed Governing Board
A governing board can fulfill its responsibilities only if it is actively involved with the institution and informed about the institution, its issues, and its environment.
Governing board members need sufficient expertise to understand the complexities of the
institution they govern. The Fundamental Elements of Standard 4 thus state that the governing board should have sufficient expertise to fulfill its fiduciary responsibilities and assure the institution’s academic integrity.
Governing board members also need accurate and timely information in
Being translated, please wait..
