Clemson University’s outgoing president, Jim Clements, came under public scrutiny for serving on corporate boards while leading a public university. Questions about conflicts of interest prompted board departures and a high‑profile resignation from the president’s private board engagements this year. The episode highlights governance risks for university presidents serving on corporate boards—potential reputational exposure, overlapping fiduciary duties and perceived conflicts with institutional missions. State policymakers and trustees are increasingly scrutinizing external board service by campus leaders. Trustees and presidents should review conflict‑of‑interest policies, transparency practices and disclosure timelines. Counsel and governance committees will need to assess whether board service advances institutional priorities or creates unmanaged risk that could draw regulatory or legislative attention.