Being present: determinants of trustee attendance at public university board meetings

Abstract

Using a unique data set, we analyze board meeting attendance records of a cross‐section of trustees representing 134 US public universities. Attendance at board meetings is essential for trustees to fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities. We match trustee‐level data with board and university characteristics to investigate what factors influence attendance. Among our results is that free ridership occurs with larger boards. Alumni status and occupational background impact attendance records, as does the trustee selection process. No connection was found between attendance and a trustee's financial commitment to the university, nor a trustee's political leanings, as proxied by their political campaign contributions.