(May 8, 2007)  The Chronicle of Higher Education published the results of its Board of Trustees survey of college and university Boards of Trustees members.  Nearly 1,500 Trustees from 1,082 colleges and universities responded.  Questions covered wide swath of topics–from trustees’ political leanings and earnings to their relationships with the colleges’ presidents to their concerns about student issues including financial aid, athletics and security.  Here are the highlights:

• 76.5%  of trustees say colleges and universities should be held more accountable for students’ educational outcomes

• 35% say big-time college athletic programs are more of a liability than an asset

• 39.6% say colleges should award financial aid to shape the incoming class, even if doing so means less money available for need-based aid