Roles and Responsibilities

In accordance with the laws of the State of Wyoming, the government of the University of Wyoming is vested in a Board of Trustees, appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate. The board consists of twelve members appointed to six-year, staggered terms. The Governor of the State of Wyoming, the President of the University, the Secretary of Education, and the President of the Associated Students of the University of Wyoming serve as ex-officio members of the board with no vote. This board constitutes a body corporate by the name of the "Trustees of the University of Wyoming" and is granted all of the powers necessary or convenient to accomplish the objects and perform the duties prescribed by law.

As ordinary citizens, the Trustees represent various interests of the public at large and, as such, are able to reflect to the University the immediate concerns of the citizens of the state, whom the University is dedicated to serve. In turn, the Trustees serve as vigorous advocates for the University and communicate to the people of Wyoming an understanding and appreciation of the current effectiveness of the programs and services provided and future needs of the University of Wyoming.

The Board of Trustees has the responsibility to approve and adopt the general policies governing the University of Wyoming and provide broad oversight for the fiduciary management, academic policies, and general welfare of the students of the University. The Board has delegated the institutional management and operations of the University to the President and, through the President, to appropriate campus administrators. These university personnel are held accountable by the Trustees for developing sound administrative and operational policies and implementing them in a legal and moral fashion. In general, the Board of Trustees has the following broad responsibilities (as adapted from the AGB Statement on Board Accountability, 2007):

• Approve the mission and purpose of the institution.
• Recruit, appoint, support, and evaluate the chief executive officer.
• Guard the fiscal integrity of the institution.
• Oversee and participate in periodic strategic planning and monitor progress on outcomes.
• Be aware of the educational, research, and service programs and demand evidence that the institution's academic priorities are being met.
• In concert with the senior administration, engage with the institution's major constituencies on a regular basis.
• Preserve institutional independence to protect the pursuit of truth, the generation of new knowledge, and intellectual inquiry so that they remain unencumbered by direct government control or special interest.
• Remain informed about institutional issues and the challenges confronting higher education.
• Serve, as necessary, as the final court of appeal on matters relating to the governance and on institutional policies and practices in accordance with established campus grievance procedures.
  

1901-1945

1946-1991

1991-2007