Decision-makers, ensnared in an atmosphere marked by uncertainty, are both terrified to act and paralyzed by inaction. Decision-makers, caught in a climate of uncertainty, feel both fearful of taking action and hindered by inaction. They are troubled by a well-orchestrated initiative that seeks to fundamentally alter higher education, forcing the sector to “exist in perpetual anxiety” for the foreseeable future. Consequently, we are witnessing a shift from shared governance to scared governance, and the consequences are profound.

At present, presidents seem to be thunderously quiet, boards approach critical issues with trepidation, and faculty members feel suppressed in their teaching and research. The insidious costs of these constraints—the lost opportunities, the stifled innovation, the further erosion of trust—are staggering. These costs must be exposed to public scrutiny, as they are not confined to higher education. The repercussions of external intrusion will manifest in every facet of our society.

Governing boards—guardians of institutional mission and values—must recognize the gravity of this moment. This isn’t simply about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), though the attacks on DEI initiatives are a major part of the problem. This is about institutional independence, the freedom to pursue knowledge, and the very DNA of our nation’s colleges and universities. uninvolvement. Boards have to champion the preservation of institutional independence and recognize that inaction under the guise of shared governance is still simply in action. They cannot afford to be passive observers, expecting others to shoulder the burden of defending the institution’s core values while they remain detached. This is not a middle school group project where 1-2 people are doing the work and we all get the same grade. The challenge before us is a direct assault on those responsibilities squarely in the board’s purview.

The threats are widespread: curricula are under siege, co-curricular life is being dismantled, research programs are targeted, medical schools are undermined, health directors are silenced, and free speech is gagged. This is not a series of isolated incidents; it is an orchestrated campaign to upend the foundations of higher learning, and it demands a unified, unwavering response. The responsibility falls squarely on governing boards to answer (clearly and immediately) for institutions: Many boards, understandably, are hesitant to address these challenges directly. But silence and inaction are not options. You are not mere spectators; you are the ultimate arbiters of your institutions’ destinies. It is time to abandon the narrow focus on isolated initiatives and confront the broader, systemic assault on academic freedom and institutional autonomy. Your leadership will determine how we navigate this defining moment.

Boards of trustees, you are the protectors of institutional values. You carry the legacy of your institutions forward. Fail in this duty, and the consequences may be irreversible. While other higher education decision-makers respond to executive orders, policy shifts, and legal rulings, your role is clear and unchanging. The only uncertainty is whether you will fulfill your responsibilities in alignment with your institution’s mission.

The Center for Strategic & Inclusive Governance (CSIG) was founded to provide mission-centric guidance in higher education governance. We are committed to helping boards navigate these complex challenges and ensure that our institutions remain true to their core missions. Our work is to remind boards that the future of higher education depends on them. The 1966 Statement on Government of Colleges and Universities makes it clear that, “The governing board has a special obligation to ensure that the history of the college or university shall serve as a prelude and inspiration to the future…When ignorance or ill will threaten the institution or any part of it, the governing board must be available for support. In grave crises, it will be expected to serve as a champion.”

This is that moment. Your institutions—and the public they serve—are waiting for you to lead. The future of higher education depends on your courage, your convictions, and your willingness to champion the values upon which these institutions were built. Will you rise to the occasion? We need you now more than ever.