Stanford University. Board of Trustees

The Stanford National Board, whose members were elected by the Board of Trustees, met once or twice yearly with the Trustees for a discussion of University problems and policies.

From the description of Stanford University, Board of Trustees, records concerning the Stanford National Board, 1923-1927. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 703840671

Leland Stanford Junior University was formally founded in 1885 by Leland and Jane Lathrop Stanford in the name of their son. While founded with a full board of trustees, the board did not hold meetings until 1898 with the surviving founder, Jane Stanford as president of the Board. Regular meetings began in 1903.

From the description of Stanford University, Board of Trustees, supporting documents, 1905-2011. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122586609

Henry Fairclough, 1862-1938, was Professor of Classics, Greek and classical literature at Stanford (1813-1927; emeritus, 1927-1938).

From the description of Legal documents regarding the Henry Fairclough estate, 1938-1939. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 707971275

Biographical/Historical Sketch

The Stanford National Board, whose members were elected by the Board of Trustees, met once or twice yearly with the Trustees for a discussion of University problems and policies.

From the guide to the Stanford University, Board of Trustees, records concerning the Stanford National Board, 1923-1927, (Department of Special Collections and University Archives)

BIOGRAPHY

Leland Whitman Cutler was President of the Board of Trustees of Stanford University (1942-1954) and insurance businessman.

From the guide to the Leland Whitman Cutler Papers, 1909-1941, (Stanford University. Libraries. Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives.)

Biographical/Historical Sketch

Henry Fairclough, 1862-1938, was Professor of Classics, Greek and classical literature at Stanford (1813-1927; emeritus, 1927-1938).

From the guide to the Henry Fairclough estate legal documents, 1938-1939, (Department of Special Collections and University Archives)

Biographical/Historical note

Powers and Duties

The Board of Trustees is custodian of the endowment and all properties of the University. The Board administers the invested funds, sets the annual budget, and determines policies for the operation and control of the University. The powers and duties of the Board of Trustees derive from the Founding Grant, amendments, legislation, and court decrees. In addition, the Board operates under its own bylaws and a series of resolutions on major policy.

Membership

Board membership is set at 35, including the President of the University who serves ex officio and with vote. Trustees serve a five-year term and are eligible for appointment to one additional five-year term. At the conclusion of that term, a Trustee is not eligible for reelection until after a lapse of one year. Eight of the Trustees are elected or appointed in accordance with the Rules Governing the Election or Appointment of Alumni Nominated Trustees. They serve a five-year term.

Officers of the Board

The officers of the board are a chair, one or more vice chairs, a secretary, and an associate secretary. Officers are elected to one-year terms at the annual meeting in June, with the exception of the chair, who serves a two-year term. Their terms of office begin July 1.

Committees

Standing committees of the Board are Academic Policy, Planning, and Management; Alumni and External Affairs; Audit and Compliance; Development; Finance; Land and Buildings; the Medical Center; and Trusteeship. Special committees include Athletics, Compensation, Investment Responsibility, and Litigation.

Meetings

The Board generally meets five times each year.

From the guide to the Stanford University, Board of Trustees, records, 1884-2001, (Department of Special Collections and University Archives)

Administrative History

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University was established on November 11, 1885, by the Grant Founding and Endowing the Leland Stanford Junior University (the "Founding Grant"). The powers and duties of the Board derive from the Founding Grant, amendments, legislation, and court decrees. In addition, the Board operates under its own bylaws and a series of resolutions on major policy.

Although the Founding Grant named the initial group of trustees, they did not hold meetings until 1898. Jane Stanford, the surviving founder of the university, served as president of the Board from 1898-1903. Regular meetings began in 1903 following Jane Stanford's decision to transfer oversight of the university to the Board.

As custodian of the endowment and all the properties of Stanford University, the Board administers the university's invested funds, sets the annual budget, and determines policies for operation and control of the university. Among the powers given to the trustees by the Founding Grant is the power to appoint a president.

As of 2012, Board membership is set at 35, including the President of the University, who serves as an ex officio member with voting privileges. Trustees serve five-year terms and are eligible for appointment to one additional five-year term.

Standing committees of the Board include Academic Policy, Planning, and Management; Alumni and External Affairs; Audit and Compliance; Development; Finance; Land and Buildings; the Medical Center; and Trusteeship. Special committees include Athletics, Compensation, Investment Responsibility, and Litigation.

From the guide to the Stanford University, Board of Trustees, meeting records, 1885-2012, (Department of Special Collections and University Archives)