College and University Trustees Can’t Sit Out This Fight

Every day there are new headlines about higher education under fire. Legislators are trying to dictate who can be admitted, what can be taught, withhold approved funding, and even rewrite how boards operate. These moves violate the independence that has long allowed our higher education system to flourish and become the envy of the world. And in this moment, the role of trustees has never been more critical.

Trustees are not symbolic stewards; they are fiduciaries with legal obligations. State law requires them to act in the best interest of the institutions they serve which means they must put the needs of their college ahead of any outside interest whether personal, financial, or partisan. They must make decisions that align with the institution’s mission and values, even when under great pressure.

In today’s environment, these obligations have never been more important. When external influences try to use governance as a political tool, trustees are the last line of defense. And the law is very clear about where their loyalty belongs. It belongs to the institution and its students, not to partisan agendas or ideological battles, full stop.

If trustees relinquish their role, they clear the way for reshaping their institutions to serve political aims vs. educational missions. The consequences of this are not only disastrous for their institutions, but for the future of our country and its global standing.

Colleges and universities have weathered crises before, but they cannot withstand this one without governing boards that understand the weight and power of their fiduciary duty. The future of independent higher education depends on trustees who step up, stay true to their duty and authority, and protect the mission they are entrusted to uphold. This isn’t just good governance, it’s the law.