Regional Campus Boards of Advisors

Scope

Boards of Advisors established at the regional campuses of Indiana University.

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Policy Statement

Chancellors on the regional campuses of Indiana University are expected to establish and maintain a campus Board of Advisors. One board member is appointed by the President to represent the Board of Trustees. The Chancellor should appoint the remaining members as representatives of the surrounding region. Prospective board members can include community and business leaders, local and state government officials, school superintendents, alumni, and others in the community.  

The boards should include about 25 members who are appointed to three-year terms. Members may be eligible for a single three-year consecutive term reappointment. A member may later be appointed to serve again if they have been off the board for at least one year. An exemption to the term limitations may be established for members who serve by virtue of their community position, such as local mayors or school superintendents, or to address other special circumstances. The terms of members should be staggered and, if a member resigns from the board prior to the conclusion of their term, a replacement member may be appointed to conclude that term before starting their own term(s) if so appointed by the Chancellor. The Chancellor shall appoint a chair of the board.

The Board of Advisors serve in an advisory rather than governance capacity. The responsibilities of the boards are:

• Provide counsel to the campus chancellor and leadership team and be advised by the chancellor on matters of priority relating to the growth and success of the regional campus and the university;
• Provide input on the campus’s role and activities in the economic development of the region, relating campus priorities to community needs, specifically to business and industry;
• Advocate for the campus and the university and help strengthen relationships among many constituencies, including, but not limited to, other area educational institutions, key community businesses and organizations, and state and local government;
• Assist the chancellor in public and private fundraising and endowment building efforts;
• Provide input on strategic and long-range planning and program priorities, vision and mission statements, and goals and objectives consistent with university and community needs;
• Connect campus leaders to partnership and program opportunities that contribute to the institution’s mission to serve the community
• Other tasks as requested by the chancellor.

The responsibilities of individual members of each board are:

• Contribute financially to the campus on an annual basis at a level commensurate with individual ability; however, board members who are state and local office holders are exempt from this expectation to avoid the appearance of conflict of interest
• Attend and participate in a minimum of 75% of all regularly scheduled board meetings, and campus special events when possible;
• Attend campus performances and events, when possible
• Serve as a member of Board of Advisors committees on appointment by the board chair;
• Become familiar with the academic, research, student life, service, and community-based programs offered by the campus.

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Reason for Policy

Board of Advisors on regional campuses have been established to be an active conduit for the sharing of information to and from the surrounding communities. The boards help the campuses to provide programs and services that support academic success for the region’s diverse student populations and actively participate and collaborate with the campus leadership to develop strategies that mutually benefit the community and the campus.

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Procedures

Nominations to the regional campus Boards of Advisors should be submitted by the chancellors to the Vice President for Regional Campuses and Online Education for approval at least 30 days prior to the start of the proposed full or replacement term. The information submitted should include:

• Name and proposed term of service;
• Brief biographical information;
• Brief statement of the reason for appointment;
• Statement that the Chancellor has consulted the Office of the Vice President for University Relations concerning the nominee’s suitability for appointment;
• Any additional information of which the Vice President for Regional Campuses and Online Education should be aware.

Appointments will be approved by the Vice President for Regional Campuses and Online Education, and the Chancellor will notify new board members of their appointment by letter.

Removal of any member of the Board of Advisors should be done in consultation with the Vice President for Regional Campuses and Online Education.

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History

The Board of Trustees established Boards of Advisors for the regional campuses by resolution in 1972. A university level policy aligning the campus processes was established in 2016.

This policy was updated on November 4, 2021.

The policy's responsible administrator, policy contact, and the position titles referenced in the policy were updated in April 2023.

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