CSIG helps boards navigate the full arc of response to novel or complex issues—moving from urgent awareness to purposeful, strategic, and inclusive decision-making.
These resources support boards in anchoring decisions in institutional missions and ensuring that the board’s actions reflect both foresight and fairness. These documents incorporate 3 phases: immediate, intermediate, and intentional- moving from reaction to reflection to responsible action.
Our Types of Strategy Resources
Immediate Guidance Series:
These resources are designed to provide governing boards with timely and focused guidance during pivotal or new events in higher education, which carry significant governance implications in both the short and long term. When a new or unexpected issue surfaces, boards need quick orientation. These resources offer concise overviews and key questions to help trustees understand the core of the issue, what’s at stake, and what they need to know first to address the immediate concerns.
Governing with Purpose: Staying Strategic in Shifting Times Series:
After immediate urgency passes, boards must continue to govern in a dynamic and uncertain environment. This series focuses on principles and practices that will empower governing boards to stay grounded in institutional missions that inform and shape their strategic decision-making in a fast-changing legal, regulatory, and political environment. These resources aim to help boards assess long-term implications, and maintain clarity and confidence amid change.
A Guide to: Mission-Centered Governance Series:
Once the board understands the issue and context, these resources help chart a path forward. These guides offer specific recommendations for governing boards to review in order to make and carry out a collective decision on a sensitive or divisive issue. They enable boards to lead with strategy, equity, and integrity—whether they’re shaping policy, allocating resources, or communicating with stakeholders.
Explore Our Strategy Resources
Filter Strategic Resources
The Board’s Role in Navigating the OCR “Dear Colleague” Letter
Board Guide: Preserving Mission-Centered Independence
Chair’s Guide: Leading Through Federal Policy Shifts
Strategic Response to Education Governance Pressures
Board and General Counsel Collaboration for Mission-Centered Governance
Why Boards Need Strategic and Inclusive Governance
Board Guide: Governance Self-Assessment