Prior to 1969, the University of Utah was overseen by the Utah Board of Regents. An Institutional Council governed the university from 1969 to 1991, when the first Board of Trustees was established.

Today, The University of Utah is governed by a 10-member Board of Trustees, eight of whom are appointed by the governor of the state of Utah with consent of the Utah Senate. The president of the University of Utah Alumni Association and the president of the Associated Students of the University of Utah serve as ex officio board members. The eight appointed board members serve four-year terms, with four terms expiring on June 30 of odd-numbered years. The two ex officio board members serve for the terms of their respective offices. The board elects one of its members to serve as chair and another member to serve as vice chair; the term of these offices is two years, pending the selection and qualification of successors.

The board’s responsibilities include consulting with the Utah Board of Higher Education on the appointment of the president of the university; overseeing the university president’s enumerated and delegated powers; and other duties, responsibilities and functions as delegated and authorized by the Utah Board of Higher Education or through rules and regulations of the university. Its duties include acting on behalf of the university in facilitating communication between the university and the community; assisting in the planning, implementation and execution of fund raising and development projects aimed at supplementing university appropriations; and perpetuating and strengthening alumni and community identification with the university’s traditions and goals. The board also approves all candidates for earned degrees and diplomas granted by the university. More information is available here: https://regulations.utah.edu/u-organizations/2-002.php

The board operates several committees, including an executive committee, audit committee and honors committee that, in consultation with the university’s president, makes recommendations for honorary degrees, portraits and other honors bestowed by the university. The board may form other ad hoc committees as needed to carry out its business.

The University of Utah Board of Trustees meets regularly, in most cases monthly during the academic year. For more information or if you have questions, contact Karen West at 801-585-5846.