Trustees and Governance

The Obligations of the Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees fulfills its obligations by focusing on three core activities:

Select and Support the President

The Board of Trustees' most consequential single act is the choice of President; its most important ongoing responsibility is providing advice, measured counsel, oversight, and accountability.

Steward the University's Long-term Health

The Board of Trustees evaluates decisions against their long-term impact on Penn's health and mission rather than the pressures of the moment. This includes engaging with strategic planning, stewarding the endowment, approving capital plans, and ensuring the University’s resources serve future generations as well as the present one.

Uphold Shared Governance

The Board of Trustees respects the faculty's authority over academic matters - curriculum, scholarly standards, and the conditions of intellectual life.