The Association of Governing Boards urged trustees to bolster institutional autonomy and foundation independence amid mounting political pressures. AGB’s president‑CEO update provided tools for trustees to act as strategic advocates and to defend academic freedom as state and federal actors increase oversight of universities. A new Center for American Progress report warned about politicized board overreach and recommended limits on governing‑board authority in curricular and personnel matters, and reforms to appointment processes to shield trustees from partisan capture. The pair of advisories underscores a central governance challenge for presidents and provosts: board composition and behavior now directly affect institutional strategy, fundraising and academic freedom.