Statement of Governance and Trustee Responsibilities
Over the past three years, the Board of Trustees, particularly through the
work of its Governance Committee, has considered how best to strengthen Board
members' performance as stewards of the College. Having consulted knowledgeable
advisers on best practices for non-profit organizations on governance and
having considered governance policies of other colleges and universities, the
Board concluded that it would be useful to develop a statement for Dartmouth on
governance and trustee responsibilities. We intend the statement to inform
prospective trustees of what is expected as a Board member, provide guidance
concerning Trustee conduct, and serve as a basis for self-evaluation and
evaluation of Trustees in the course of Board service. Accordingly, the Board
adopts this Statement on Governance and Trustee Responsibilities.
The Board of Trustees develops and advances Dartmouth's mission and goals.
It ensures the institution is well managed, provides for adequate resources,
and maintains good relations with all constituencies, on campus and across the
globe. It appoints and evaluates the President, approves and monitors the
implementation of institutional strategy and policies, provides accountability
and preserves the autonomy of the institution.
The Board assures that the Board as a whole has the requisite skills and
experience to steward the institution and ensures that each Trustee carries out
his or her responsibilities as specified herein.
The Dartmouth Board of Trustees is a small, working board that makes
substantial demands of its members. Each Trustee assigns a high priority to a
stewardship role with a commitment to the strengths, traditions and values of
the institution and pledges to fulfill the following responsibilities:
Act as a responsible fiduciary
- Act in the best overall interest of Dartmouth.
- Make service to Dartmouth a high personal priority: participate
constructively and consistently in the work of the Board and its committees and
working groups; accept and discharge leadership positions and other
assignments; work on behalf of Dartmouth between Board meetings; and attend as
many Dartmouth functions as feasible.
- Prepare for meetings by reading the agenda and supporting material and by
keeping informed about Dartmouth and trends and issues in higher
education.
- Participate in rational, informed deliberations by considering reliable
information, thinking critically, asking good questions and respecting diverse
points of view, in order to reach decisions on the merits that are in the best
interests of the institution.
- Use your own judgment in voting versus following the lead of others.
- Participate in self-evaluations and evaluations of Trustee
performance.
Advance the mission of Dartmouth
- Represent Dartmouth positively in words and deeds, particularly and
proactively to Dartmouth constituents.
- Serve Dartmouth as a whole, rather than the interests of any
constituency.
- Help Dartmouth secure the financial, human and other resources necessary
for the institution to achieve its mission.
- Contribute financially to the annual fund and to capital campaigns, within
one's means, at a level that demonstrates Dartmouth is a high philanthropic
interest.
Uphold the integrity of the Board
- Maintain strict confidentiality of Board and committee meetings and of all
information proprietary to Dartmouth.
- Speak for the Board only when authorized to do so by the Board Chair or
President.
- Refrain from directing the President or staff and from requesting special
considerations or favors. The President reports to the Board as a whole, and
the staff to the President.
- Avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance thereof, in accordance with
the Board's Conflict of Interest Policy.
- Adhere to the highest standards of personal and professional behavior so as
to reflect favorably on Dartmouth.
Adopted by the Board of Trustees, June 8, 2007
