The American Council of Trustees and Alumni aims to shake things up in higher ed

Founded in 1995, the organization's describes itself as "committed to 'high academic standards, academic freedom, and institutional accountability.'" In practice, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education, the council is often critical of trustees for lax oversight or overly deferential relationships with presidents. The group is also critical of political correctness and the cost of college.

I've recently heard it said that many trustees come on board with the attitude, "I've written my check.  Don't bother me."   My own opinion is that too many trustees, coming out of private enterprise and wealthy enough to make a college their hobby, don't blink at CEO compensation at six and even seven figures.  They tend to rubber stamp what those over-paid presidents want.  They don't do their homework and they don't make the higher administration uncomfortable.

The American Council aims at promoting and encouraging trustees who will be thorns in administrators' sides.  I applaud the effort.  If this sounds like your kind of group, as well as mine, check out the website.