Governance Reconsidered: How Boards, Presidents, Administrators, and Faculty Can Help Their Colleges Thrive

Praise for Governance Reconsidered Susan Resneck Pierce reminds college presidents, trustees, and faculty members that, despite much handwringing on the topic of academic governance, they actually can and in fact must work together in a spirit of mutual respect and shared mission. Her perspective is practical and aspirational, prudent and ambitious, informative and encouraging. Jo Ellen Parker, president, Sweet Briar College This book is rich with insights and helpful advice for college and university trustees, presidents, and faculty seeking to navigate the challenges of shared governance. It should be required reading for all who wish to understand what contributes to a well–run institution of higher education. Kathleen L. Rhinesmith, former chair, Board of Trustees, Ohio Wesleyan University Susan Resneck Pierces On Being Presidential is required reading for those who aspire to or embark upon college presidency. Now, with Governance Reconsidered , she provides a work that will be invaluable to those who sit in the corner officeand to the boards that hire them. This book should definitely be on the bookshelves of college presidents and board members. Georgia Nugent, president emerita, Kenyon College This book paints a realistic picture of the governance forces that todays college and university presidents must reconsider in order for their institutions to thrive in the face of new challenges and opportunities. Molly Corbett Broad, president, American Council on Education

Preface The Inspiration for This Book The Intended Audience The Structure of This Book Some Explanations for My Readers Acknowledgments About the Author 1. Shared Governance: Its History and Its Challenges The Pressures on Shared Governance Differences in How Shared Governance Has Been Practiced The History of Shared Governance Differences over the Nature and Pace of Change Pressures on Trustees, Presidents, and Faculty to Change 2. The Impact of Financial Pressures on Governance The Causes of Financial Pressures Efforts to Control Tuition and Limit Growing Financial Aid The Dangers of Business as Usual in Times of Budget Problems A Successful, Proactive Approach to Financial Pressures 3. The Impact on Governance of Contingent Faculty, Online Learning, and MOOCs Reliance on Contingent Faculty Affects Governance Online Courses and MOOCs 4. The Impact on Governance of Questions About Higher Education’s Value and Cost Higher Education Is Vulnerable to Criticism Claims That Colleges Are Failing to Educate Students Elected Officials Seek to Influence Higher Education Trustees Are Assuming More Activist Roles 5. Cautionary Tales: Protests of Presidential Actions and Lessons for Shared Governance Chief Financial Officers Seek Academic Cost Reductions Recommendations for Presidents 6. Cautionary Tales: Faculty Failures and Recommendations for Collaboration Case Studies: Faculties That Resist Administrative Decisions Recommendations for Faculty Members 7. Cautionary Tales: Boards That Fail to Fulfill Their Fiduciary Responsibilities and Recommendations for Changes Examples of Boards Failing to Provide Oversight Lessons Learned Recommendations for Boards The Complexity of Terminating a President Recommendations for Boards That Are Confronted with Concerns About Presidential Performance 8. Exemplary Tales: Successful Presidents The University of Maryland, Baltimore County Kettering University American International College Pitzer College Commonalities Resources References Index

SUSAN RESNECK PIERCE is president emerita of the University of Puget Sound. As president of SRP Consulting, she advises colleges and universities on planning, effective board and presidential performance, board development, governance, and fundraising. She is the author of On Being Presidential: A Guide for College and University Leaders (Jossey–Bass, 2012).