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Washington and Lee University Board of Trustees Self-Assessment Policy

Introduction

Policy Statement

The Board of Trustees Self-Assessment Policy commits the Washington and Lee University Board of Trustees to regular self-assessment in order to:

• Demonstrate that the Washington and Lee University Board of Trustees and its individual members are carrying out their roles and responsibilities in an effective manner;
• Identify strengths and potential areas for improvement in the board's functioning; and
• Demonstrate compliance with any external reporting requirements by the University's accreditors, the federal government, or the government of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Applicability

This policy applies to the Washington and Lee University Board of Trustees.

Responsible Committee: Trusteeship Committee

Responsible Coordinators: Chair of the Trusteeship Committee and the Rector

Policy

I. Frequency

• The board shall assess New Trustee Orientation at the conclusion of each orientation of a new Trustee member.
• The board shall conduct at least once every three years:
  • a self-assessment by the full membership of the board; and
  • a review of the institutional mission statement.

II. Purposes

• To ensure that trustees have a clear and common understanding of board responsibilities;
• To clarify mutual expectations among board members, including with the President of the university;
• To strengthen relationships among board members, including that with the President of the university;
• To strengthen board performance.

III. Responsibility

• The Trusteeship Committee of the Board of Trustees shall ensure that the assessment of new trustee orientation, the mission statement review, and the board self-assessment each occurs at the frequency set forth in section I. The Trusteeship Committee shall oversee and/or implement the board self-assessment and mission statement review process.

IV. Process

• Comprehensive Board Self-Assessment Survey - at the heart of the board self-assessment process is a confidential survey of the board. Individual responses will be reported in the aggregate and without attribution.
  • The board self-assessment and mission statement review shall be comprehensive in nature and conducted at the request of the Trusteeship Committee on a cycle no less frequent than that specified in I.b.
  • At its discretion, the Trusteeship Committee, in collaboration with the Rector, may choose additional methods to conduct a self-assessment including the use of a facilitator, outside consultant, or a retreat.
• New Trustee Orientation Survey
  • The assessment of the New Trusteeship Orientation will be conducted at the end of the orientation of a new trustee and will focus on the orientation process (schedule, materials, effective use of time, scope of topics covered, overall effectives, etc.)
  • The Secretary of the Board will provide an electronic survey to each new trustee in the week following his/her first board meeting to allow the new trustee time to reflect on the orientation program and the meeting. Upon receipt of the completed survey the Secretary will share that information with the Rector, the Chair of the Trusteeship Committee, and the members of the Trusteeship Committee.

V. Results

• The results of the board self-assessment and mission statement review shall be presented to the Board of Trustees in executive session.
• Results shall be maintained as a confidential record to demonstrate compliance to external agencies. The records shall not be open for public disclosure.