The Board of Trustees and Administrative Context

Premised on the Greenville University Bylaws, the Board of Trustees, acting independently, own and operate the University. They establish broad general policy and supervise GU’s institutional affairs. The Board of Trustees are committed evangelical Christians. The Bylaws specify that one third of the members of the board must be members of the Free Methodist Church of North America. During the third year of their terms, trustees are required to participate in an evaluation process that includes a self-assessment and a formal performance review by the trusteeship committee.

The Board of Trustees determines the mission of the institution, monitors the institution’s performance in fulfilling that mission, and emphasizes policy vision, strategic leadership, and diverse points of view. The Board also determines the broad policies governing the operation of the institution. The policies may include, but are not limited to, matters of board governance, university operations, business affairs and property of the institution, and matters relating to the core values and objective of the institution. Trustee involvement with campus life also comprises participation in administration, faculty, and staff matters.

Regarding administration, the Board annually reviews major decisions made by the administration and acts to approve these decisions, to modify them, or to make policy that will guide future decision making. In the absence of a meeting of the full board, the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees in regular or specially called meetings acts on decisions and recommendations of the administration. The President, or appointees of the President, makes decisions in the absence of the full board or the Executive Committee except in those areas specifically prohibited by the Bylaws of Greenville University.

Apart from special meetings, which may be called as needed, Article IX of the University Bylaws states that the Board of Trustees will hold regular meetings three times annually:  the first between October 1 and November 30; the second between February 1 and March 31; and the third in May. Also, the Board calls special meetings whenever necessary based on the judgements of the Officers of the Corporation and the interests of the institution. The board elects, for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three-year consecutive terms, the offices of chair, vice chair, secretary, and treasurer. 

The officers conduct an annual performance review of the President and handle presidential contractual arrangements. In addition, GU has an Executive Committee, Business Affairs Committee (BAC), Trusteeship Committee, and Integrated Curriculum Committee (ICC). The Executive Committee includes officers, the chairs of all committees, and one at-large member. Although the Executive Committee meets at the discretion of the board officers as needed, other standing committees meet regularly between board meetings and report at each of the three regular meetings of the board.

The Board will from time-to-time form committees to help the Board to fulfill its functions and purpose.  These committees will serve to make policy recommendations to the full Board on matters assigned to them for study such as committees to deal with the Admissions and Enrollment, Facilities and Technology, and Institutional Advancement.

In addition, during the fall and/or spring onsite meetings, the Board may invite faculty officers (moderator, associate moderator, and secretary) to make a formal presentation.

For more specific information regarding the Board of Trustees, see the Bylaws of Greenville University (Appendix B). A copy of the Greenville University Board of Trustees’ Standing Policies Manual is available in the President’s office. The Board of Trustees’ delegates broad executive authority to the President (CEO) who, in turn, accords operational responsibility to the President’s Cabinet.