This landmark report on higher education governance is the product of a summit of 22 distinguished national leaders, including college presidents, trustees, business leaders, academics, and policymakers dedicated to ensuring that America’s colleges and universities successfully meet 21st century challenges.

The purpose of this guide is to assist governing board trustees in the execution of their most important task: the selection of a president who will lead the institution in the years ahead.

This brochure provides recommendations to help trustees perform their legal and fiduciary obligations, advance the academic and financial health of their institutions, and serve the best interests of the public.

This comprehensive analysis of college spending patterns reveals how spending has contributed to skyrocketing tuition with minimal impact on student success. The report draws on data from more than 1,500 four-year public and private, nonprofit colleges and universities.

Higher education is in the midst of a deep financial crisis, and the failure of governing boards to focus on academic programs is arguably the single greatest cause of overspending. This brochure shows trustees both why and how to prioritize academic programs.

In this volume, trustees will find a playbook and blueprints for reform, as well as examples of how boards have encouraged the adoption of innovative practices including online consortia, curricular consolidation, and institutional analytics.

ACTA now provides a blueprint to help higher education regain and live by this core principle. The ACTA Gold Standard for Freedom of Expression provides clear guidance for institutions to create a culture of free thought on their campuses.

This essay by former ACLU president Nadine Strossen discusses the disappearance of reasoned and wide-ranging debate from college and universities. Professor Strossen outlines strategies to help administrators and faculty counter social pressure, self-censorship, and incivility on campuses.

Dr. Allen Guelzo explores what all American college students should learn about their country. He takes readers through pivotal moments in American history and illustrates the contemporary importance of our past.

To date, 82 schools have adopted the Chicago Principles issued by the University of Chicago Committee on Freedom of Expression. The Chicago Principles are the gold standard for a commitment to protecting free and open inquiry at colleges and universities.