The Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees of Centre College holds the final legal and fiscal responsibility for the institution. It is comprised of no less than twenty nor more than 36 members, serving staggered six-year terms. The Trustees are divided into six classes of not more than six trustees each, with the term of one class expiring each year. Successors to the vacancies thus created are elected annually by the Board of Trustees.

The Board of Trustees exercises general oversight and control of all affairs of the College. It generally concerns itself with major matters of policy, including but not limited to College finances and fund-raising; academic and non-academic programs; physical facilities; election of the officers of administration; ratification of appointments to the Faculty; promoting and granting tenure to members of the Faculty; and the awarding of academic and honorary degrees.

Board meetings include four non-voting participants: the President of the College (an ex officio member of the Board), the Alumni Association President, the Student Government Association President, and the President of the Faculty. There are eight standing committees of the Board: Committee on Academic Affairs; Committee on Administrative Services; Committee on Development and Public Affairs; Committee on Finance; Committee on Investments; Committee on Nominations and Honorary Degrees; Committee on Student Life and Enrollment Management; and Committee on Planning. Committees may meet as often as once a month, or as infrequently as twice a year.

The Board of Trustees is required by the by-laws of the College to meet at least three times each year, and at least one of these meetings must be on the campus of the College. The Board generally meets in October, January, and April.

The President of the Faculty, the President of the Alumni Association, and the President of the Student Government Association shall be invited to attend all meetings of the Trustees (except executive sessions), with the privileges of the floor but without the privilege of voting.

The President of the Faculty shall be invited to attend meetings of the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board, but without privilege of voting. The President of the Alumni Board shall be invited to attend meetings of the Development and Public Affairs Committee of the Board, but without privilege of voting. The President of the Student Government Association shall be invited to attend meetings of the Student Life and Enrollment Management Committee of the Board, without privilege of voting. The President of the Faculty and the President of the Student Government Association shall be invited to attend meetings of the Board Committee on Planning, without privilege of voting.