Editor's Note: As part of The Dartmouth's ongoing coverage of the Board of Trustees' governance review, this article outlines the governance structures of peer institutions for reference purposes.
Harvard University:
The primary board is the Harvard Corporation, an outside body, made up of a group of fellows, primarily people who are not involved in the university's daily life. The Harvard Corporation also nominates and includes the university president. This board is self-perpetuating and, in recent years, has been comprised of six members in addition to the president. This board is responsible for the management of the university's finances and business affairs, and handles important matters of educational and institutional policy.
The Board of Overseers is comprised of 30 members, all of whom are elected by alumni of the university. The Board is familiar with the educational policies and practices of the university and advises the Corporation. The Board also must approve significant actions taken by the Corporation, including major faculty and administrative appointments.
Yale University:
The Yale Corporation is the name given to the university's trustees, and comprises the university's governing body. The Corporation is responsible for the overall supervision of the affairs of the university. Six of Yale's 19 trustees may be elected by the Association of Yale Alumni after nomination by a standing committee (Standing Committee of the Association of Yale Alumni for the Nomination of Alumni Fellows). Up to three candidates may be nominated by petition.
Princeton University:
The Trustees of Princeton University is the body responsible for the governance of the university. The 40-member body approves the university budgets, supervises the investment of the university's endowment and oversees physical planning. The trustees must also review and approve any changes in educational or institutional policies. 13 trustees are elected by the alumni of the university.
The Council of the Princeton University Community, chaired by the president of the university, is a 57-member council comprised of faculty, staff, alumni and students. The group examines university policy and makes recommendations on issues that concern the Princeton community.
Columbia University:
A 24-member Board of Trustees govern the university. The Board's responsibilities include the selection of the university president, oversight of faculty and administrative appointments and the monitoring of the budget and endowment.
University of Pennsylvania:
The University of Pennsylvania is overseen by a Board of Trustees, the president of which is the governor of Pennsylvania. At any given time, the Board elects up to 10 "charter trustees" that serve until retirement and up to 30 "term trustees" that may be elected for two terms of five years each. In addition, the alumni may elect up to 14 "elected trustees" including the president of Penn Alumni, which may be elected by petition. An executive committee, made up of trustees nominated by the chairman and elected annually by the board, exercises all of the powers and authority of the board.
Cornell University:
A Board of Trustees that is responsible for electing the university president, adopting an annual plan of financial operation and establishing degrees to be rewarded governs Cornell. The Board is comprised of 64 voting members, eight of which are elected by alumni. Current students, employees and faculty also elect individuals to serve on the Board. Four ex-officio members also have voting privileges-the president of the university, the governor of New York, the speaker of the state assembly and the president of the state senate.
Brown University:
The Corporation of Brown University is comprised of two branches, the 12-member Board of Trustees and the 42-member Board of Fellows. Two-thirds of the members of the Corporation are nominated by the Corporation's Committee on Trustee Vacancies. The remaining trustees are elected by the alumni body after nomination by the Brown Alumni Association.
Williams College:
A 25-member Board of Trustees, which consists of five members elected by alumni, runs Williams College. The alumni elect one alumnus to serve a five-year term each year.
