WHAT DOES A BOARD OF REGENTS DO?

Many schools, colleges, and universities have as their primary governing body a 'board of regents'.  This phrase is defined as  a committee of university officers who have general supervision over the welfare and conduct of students or a body that manages the affairs of an institution. Yet, what does that really mean?

The variety of interpretations is also interesting. The Louisiana Board of Regents says "The Board of Regents is committed to increasing the educational attainment of Louisiana's citizens through its policy work including statewide academic planning and review, budgeting and performance funding, research, and accountability."  Other states define it more or less along those same lines.

One thing is apparent regardless of individual differences between states and schools. More and more such bodies are attaining new levels of transparency in their work.  Agendas, mission statements, dockets, meeting dates, contact information and news releases are increasingly being placed on web pages and made publicly accessible.  Examples include U of M, U of W, and Baylor.

This is very important, this issue of transparency, for new required levels of assessment and accountability being demanded, within and without, the academic sphere.  

Libraries (academic and public) and library systems also have similar board structures for similar purposes.  There too the need for transparency, accountability, communication, and involvement (contact, scheduled, etc.) are important.   The benefit of a board should be its ability to be objective and distanced enough to properly oversee the big picture, its willingness to go below the surface to see things as they really are and not just accept formal records, and connect with all those involved from the highest office to the lowest position.  Not as micro managers but as observers, advocates, and supporters of all the institution.  It should encompass an ability to listen to and consider alternate views, review information and ideas outside formal channels (where they can be stifled or ignored), and support the development as a positive work environment and productive service provider.