Invitation to Sign On

Reaffirming the Independence of Higher Education Governance:
A Call to Action

College and university board chairs and presidents, institutionally related foundation board chairs and chief executives, higher education association executives, and heads of accrediting agencies are invited to sign the following letter in support of boards’ independent authority, free from political interference.

DEADLINE EXTENSION: Please sign on by 9:00 PM ET TUESDAY, MAY 6, to be included AGB's press release announcement.

View all signatories of the community letter.

In the landmark case of Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819), the Supreme Court affirmed the sanctity of educational charters and the autonomy of private institutions from political interference. Though initially limited to private colleges, the decision came to embody a broader presumption of institutional independence that extended to public institutions. This principle has since safeguarded the ability of higher education to serve society impartially, fostering discovery, innovation, and civic leadership free from transient political pressures.

Today, the independence of governing boards—the foundation of institutional autonomy—faces renewed and expanding challenges. These include not only efforts to condition public funding on political compliance or ideological conformity, but also attempts to control fundamental institutional decisions that are the rightful purview of boards, such as determining whom to admit, whom to hire, and how to fulfill an institution’s mission in service to its students and communities.

We, the undersigned, affirm:

• That governing boards must retain independent authority to fulfill their fiduciary duties without political interference.
• That higher education’s strength lies in its diversity of thought, freedom of inquiry, and insulation from political orthodoxy.
• That preserving institutional autonomy is essential for the vitality of American democracy, economic innovation, and global leadership.
• Indeed, it is this very independence of governance and mission that has made U.S. higher education the model for the world. The freedom to govern without political interference has enabled American colleges and universities to lead in research, produce top talent, drive prosperity, and serve as beacons for scholars across the globe.

To preserve the integrity and global standing of American higher education, we call on leaders, advocates, and stakeholders to stand together in the following commitments:

• Defend the independence of college and university governing boards as a cornerstone of constitutional freedoms.
• Reject political interference that undermines academic excellence and fiduciary stewardship.
• Reaffirm the principles of charter sanctity and institutional autonomy articulated in Dartmouth College v. Woodward as vital protections for our nation’s future.

The future of higher education and the democracy it serves depends on our collective vigilance, an unwavering commitment to these principles, and unified action.

Sample Board Resolution

To support action in affirming institutional commitment to institutional autonomy and board independence, AGB offers a sample board resolution that your board can adopt or adapt.

Please note: While signing the letter by the May 5 deadline ensures your institution's inclusion in AGB’s press release announcement, formal board adoption of a resolution is not required by that date. Boards are encouraged to take up the resolution at a future meeting that aligns with their governance calendar. Signing the letter now signals your leadership's support and values, with the opportunity to formalize that commitment through board action later. This approach ensures that the principles affirmed in the letter endure beyond the initial signing.