The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) announced a national governance framework under its Higher Education Governance Integrity Initiative, aimed at strengthening trustee roles, training, and stability in public university leadership. AGB said the initiative responds to evidence that governance challenges are becoming more widespread, including trustee uncertainty about fiduciary duties. AGB’s announcement emphasizes that governance integrity is “structural” rather than partisan and links unclear governance boundaries to blurred management lines, presidential instability, weakened autonomy, and eroding public trust. The framework includes a five-part set of recommendations, beginning with strengthening trustee selection and modernizing trustee training. AGB says it will work with governors, legislators, and system leaders to adopt the recommendations as a proactive step to preserve institutional independence amid heightened public pressure.