As mandated by State law, the University is governed by a body of men and women chosen as representatives of the general public.

A reading of the biographies of the Trustees will reveal the great variety of skills, experience, and training that Board Members contribute to their enormously time-consuming and complex tasks.

The two major responsibilities of the Trustees are to set CUNY educational policy and to select its key personnel.

For the day-to-day management of the University, the Trustees depend upon the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellors, and the College Presidents.

The excerpts that follow from the State Education Law, Article 125, Section 6204, answer the questions of who the Board Members are, how they are selected, and what their role is:

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

1. The Board of Trustees shall govern and administer The City University. The control of the education work of The City University shall rest solely in the Board of Trustees which shall govern and administer all educational units of The City University.

2. Structure of the Board of Trustees:

(a) The Board of Trustees shall consist of seventeen Trustees. Ten of the Trustees shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the New York State Senate. Five of the Trustees shall be appointed by the Mayor of the City of New York with the advice and consent of the New York State Senate. One ex officio Trustee shall be the Chairperson of the University Student Senate. One ex officio non-voting Trustee shall be the Chairperson of the University Faculty Senate.

(b) A Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees shall be appointed by and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

(c) The term of office of each appointed Trustee shall be seven years renewable solely for one additional term of seven years.

(d) The five Trustees appointed by the Mayor shall be residents of the City of New York.

(e) The Trustees appointed by the Governor shall include at least one resident of each of the five boroughs of the City of New York.

(f) The Trustees appointed by the Mayor shall include at least one alumnus of an educational unit in The City University. The Trustees appointed by the Governor shall include at least two alumnae of an educational unit in The City University including at least one other alumnus of a community college.

(g) Trustees shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for the actual and necessary expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties under this article.