WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The
Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB),
the premier organization advocating strategic board leadership in
higher education, today released a benchmarking report that
showcases continuing demographic shifts in the composition of
higher education governing boards. Policies, Practices, and
Composition of Governing Boards of Colleges, Universities, and
Institutionally Related Foundations 2021 is the latest survey of
data that AGB has tracked for governing boards of public and
independent institutions since 1969, and for institutionally
related foundation boards since 1985.
The survey captured important data related to board composition.
Board members remain predominantly older White men, yet boards'
diversity in terms of gender, age, race, and ethnicity has
increased somewhat over the past several years. Women made up 37.1
percent of public boards and 36.3 percent of independent boards in
2020, an increase of more than four percentage points for each
sector from 2015. Women made up 35 percent of foundation boards in
2020, an increase of 9.2 percentage points from 2015. Despite gains
over the past five years, the overall percentage of female board
members does not reflect that 59.5 percent of college students in
the United States were women as of
spring 2021.
Regarding racial and ethnic board member makeup, among public
boards, just over 30 percent of members were racial or ethnic
minorities, an increase of 6.2 percentage points from 2015.
Independent boards had just over 17 percent of their members
identify as racial or ethnic minorities, an increase of 3.6
percentage points from 2015. Foundation board members from racial
and ethnic minority backgrounds made up 11.9 percent of foundation
boards in 2020, an increase from 9 percent in 2015.
"As with gender, the current racial and ethnic breakdown on
boards clearly does not—and has not for decades—reflect the college
student population that governing boards ultimately serve," said
Lesley McBain, AGB director of
research. "It can be problematic if a board is made up of members
with too similar backgrounds, not only in terms of age, race, and
gender, but in other demographics and perspectives. Boards with
more diversity are often more prepared to contribute to new
institutional priorities and address a broader swath of potential
challenges because of their varied lived experiences."
The survey shows that many boards recognize they must do more to
support diversity both at the board level and throughout their
institutions, systems, and foundations. The report found that 97.6
percent of foundation boards, 95.1 percent of independent boards,
and 50 percent of public boards indicated they are currently
attempting to diversify their composition. The lower percentage of
public boards making movement toward diversification can be
attributed to how public board members are appointed, elected, or
selected by state officials and other stakeholder groups, compared
to private institution boards. The most popular diversification
categories for those boards that were currently attempting to
diversify their composition were members' self-identified race and
ethnicity, professional background, age, and gender. Other
categories included first-generation college student status and
giving level.
Additionally, 31.2 percent of independent institutions, 27.8
percent of public institutions, and 22 percent of foundations
reported having a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) plan
for the board. Yet most boards have not added a committee
specifically to oversee DE&I. Only 3.1 percent of public boards
and 6.8 percent of independent boards have added a standing
committee; another 4.1 percent of public boards and 11.7 percent of
independent boards reported having added an ad hoc DE&I
committee.
The report further captures a range of data on board policies
and practices. Readers can find data on executive sessions, board
member education opportunities, methods of board member removal,
annual giving information, and more. Further, the survey includes
foundation-specific results on various policies and practices, such
as the endowment size, operating budget, staffing data, and
differences in foundation responsibilities across higher
education.
"This survey is the only one of its kind," said Henry Stoever, AGB president and CEO. "AGB
empowers board members to serve as strategic thought partners who,
in collaboration with chief executives and leadership team members,
focus on equitable student success and long-term institutional
vitality. Through this report, our association's ability to examine
how boards have evolved and changed over 50 years provides insight
on where higher education, and governance, is heading."
Respondents completed the 2020 iteration of the survey on behalf
of the governing boards of 539 colleges, universities, public
university systems, and institutionally related foundations. A
complimentary e-book version of Policies, Practices, and
Composition is available for AGB members on the website. Further,
this resource is available for preorder in hard-copy format.
About AGB
The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges
(AGB) is the premier membership organization that strengthens
higher education governing boards and the strategic roles they
serve within their organizations. Through our vast library of
resources, educational events, and consulting services, and with
100 years of experience, we empower 40,000 AGB members from more
than 2,000 institutions and foundations to navigate complex issues,
implement leading practices, streamline operations, and govern with
confidence. AGB is the trusted resource for board members, chief
executives, and key administrators on higher education governance
and leadership.
Media Contact
Morgan Alexander, Association of
Governing Boards, +1 202-776-0853, media@agb.org
SOURCE Association of Governing Boards