Governing boards and trustees are being urged to sharpen oversight as institutions navigate political pressure and financial stress. Practical guidance pieces circulated this week outline quick, actionable board checkups—attendance, debate quality, role clarity and trustee engagement—and emphasize trustees’ role in preserving institutional autonomy. The Association of Governing Boards (AGB) called on trustees and foundation boards to be strategic advocates for institutional independence, providing toolkits and advocacy resources to counter external pressures while bolstering state-level engagement for 2026.