University governing boards are finally coming under greater pressure, in the words of the Association of Governing Boards, “to commit themselves to model policies and practices that warrant the public trust” — and, this, in part thanks to recent governance and conflict-of-interest controversies, such as one involving the compensation of the former president of American University. Inside Higher Ed reports the establishmentarian AGB has issued a new statement on board accountability.

Our own Anne Neal, president of the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, which has taken far more stouthearted stands on accountability than AGB, lauded some aspects of the statement, such as its stress on ensuring general education. But, as IHE notes, she criticized its “essentially passive” tone and its failure to “call upon boards to cast a wide net to find innovative leaders who are not afraid to question the status quo.”

Nonetheless, this is progress, in no small measure due to the ten years of groundwork in serious board reform engaged in by ACTA.