<p>odssey:</p>
<p>There are several posts on the AoA blog who also do not support the Exec Comittee’s actions. </p>
<p>Interesting comments from a Law Prof on the legal role of trustees:</p>
<p>The Role of Trustees</p>
<p>Universities are private-sector corporations with corporate boards and corporate rules; those on governing boards are entrusted with the stewardship of its finances and strategy, not necessarily its academic direction. That means:</p>
<p>Trustees have a legal obligation to an “undivided duty of loyalty,” meaning that they don’t represent only a subset of alumni or a certain constituency or interest group; they must act in the interests of the institution as a whole. “The rule of thumb for a board is they need to take a strategic look at an institution and be balanced and sensitive to the needs of all constituents, but not having to address special interests within the boardroom,” said Richard D. Legon, the president of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges. </p>
<p>Trustees shouldn’t involve themselves in curricular or academic issues, McGuire said: they should focus on fiduciary responsibilities, management and accreditation standards rather than “whether you teach Western Civilization or not.” She continued: “[T]hose decisions are in the realm of the faculty,” and if the board enters that realm, “that violates academic freedom, among many other things.” </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2007/10/05/trustees[/url]”>http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2007/10/05/trustees</a></p>