Reports tied to George Mason’s conservative board chair describe a months-long effort to pressure the university president to dismantle DEI programs, supported by text messages reviewed in coverage. Separately, coverage of the University of Wisconsin system president Jay Rothman highlights that a board asked him to resign but would not provide reasons for losing confidence. These cases reflect governance stress points that have become common in higher education: board-aligned agendas, contested interpretations of institutional mission, and disputes over process and transparency. Faculty governance groups and legal counsel increasingly focus on documentation, decision rationales, and employment protections. For campus leaders, the practical concern is continuity: governance battles can distract from enrollment planning, budgeting, and academic priorities, while increasing reputational and litigation risk.