The Cost Project
An initiative on college costs

What boards are doing—and not doing—
in reviewing institutional costs
By Jane V. Wellman

Despite the prominent role of governing boards in financial oversight and strategic planning, little is known about (1) how most boards oversee college costs, (2) whether their role is as effective as it could be, and (3) how their effectiveness might be improved. To answer such questions, AGB conducted focus groups and interviews with board members and college presidents about the board’s role in cost oversight, followed by a national survey of chief finance officers to learn more about the cost information they actually are presenting to board members and the types of discussions they have with their boards about institutional costs.

Read the report.

Or view excerpts:

• About the Cost Project
• The survey
• Comments from CFOs about impediments to better board understanding of costs
• Comments from CFOs on best practices leading to cost control
• Advice from CFOs about board engagement in costs

Review the survey and responses.

Read other Cost Project reports:

• Strengthening Board Capacity for Overseeing College Costs
• Engaging the Board in Conversations About College Costs

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