5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT PUBLIC UNIVERSITY BOARDS   DANA G. HOYT, PRESIDENT SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY JUNE 2017

DIFFERENCES IN TYPES OF PUBLIC BOARDS 1 APPOINTED ELECTED INDEPENDENT SYSTEM DIFFERENCES IN TYPES OF PUBLIC BOARDS Know the demographics of your board (educational background, business affiliation) Appointed – most common – usually politically astute & connected business people Elected – politicians (media coverage) Independent (more work on campus, closer connection, strategic/fiduciary vs. management focus) System (consistency across component institution)

2 CHANGING CONTEXT ACCOUNTABILITY FIDUCIARY PRINCIPLES KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HIGHER EDUCATION CHANGING CONTEXT Increasing interest in areas of accountability regarding higher education, especially for public university boards Accountability – focus on this area requires transparency, trust & independence Fiduciary – cost of attendance, tuition & fees, student debt are all topics in the media that Boards feel need input &/or control Knowledge – academic quality, shared governance, tenure, efficiencies in administration Program measures (not all make money – auto example) Delve into administrative comfort level

3 STRATEGIC FACTORS INCLUSIVENESS AWARENESS BOARD ENGAGEMENT Constructive engagement vs. micro-management Understand strategic focus – initiatives – how to move these forward – specific members with interest or conflict Prepare members vs. discussion with all members Curiosity & imagination – what are the board members interests (ELITE-HSC)?

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES 4 BOARD CHAIR IMPORTANCE COMMITTEE INVOLVEMENT ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES How to understand & influence dynamics of board relationships Board chair – excellent professional relationship, drives board on issues, effectively manages – public board escalation (i.e. tenure denial & appeal, open comment) Need to establish appropriate decision-making at committee level (consent agenda, public discussion)

CULTURE & RELATIONSHIPS 5 FORMAL VS. INFORMAL PRESIDENTIAL EVALUATIONS SHARED GOVERNANCE CULTURE & RELATIONSHIPS Importance of getting to know your board members informally as well as in the formal meeting – but remember “boss” Differences in independent vs. system settings (ask how handled & any input influence board vs. system head How to handle the situations & questions related to business people – decisiveness vs. building consensus