The trustees, together with the president, are responsible for governing and stewarding the college. While the Board of Trustees constitutes the ultimate corporate authority responsible for the college’s policies and programs, at Williams the governance of the college is shared as well with the faculty, both as individuals who serve in leadership roles and as a legislative body with authority over much of the policy and administrative work of the college.
About the Board of Trustees
The number of trustees, by college law, can range from 11 to 25, including the president, who serves as an ex officio member. Not including the president, there are currently 24 trustees, all of whom are alumni of the college. The president of the Society of Alumni attends board meetings at the invitation of the trustees. The college’s special assistant to the president serves as secretary to the board.
Williams has two types of trustees: alumni trustees and term trustees. Five members of the board are alumni trustees, who serve five-year terms and are nominated to the board by the Society of Alumni. Alumni trustees who complete their service may subsequently be elected to a single five-year term as a term trustee. The remaining board members are term trustees, who are appointed by the Board of Trustees. These Trustees serve five-year terms and may be reelected to serve one additional term of up to five years.
One member of the board serves as chair for a term of no more than five years.
The full board meets formally four times a year, in October, January, April, and June.