Key Facts
Key Information
About
The Yale University Board of Trustees, formally known as the Yale Corporation or the President and Fellows of Yale College, is the principal governing body of Yale University, an Ivy League institution in New Haven, Connecticut. Established alongside the university's founding, the board oversees the university's policies, finances, strategic direction, and overall stewardship. Comprising 19 members—including three ex officio members (the university president, who chairs the board, the Governor of Connecticut, and the Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut), ten successor trustees appointed for two six-year terms each, and six alumni fellows elected by Yale alumni for staggered six-year terms—the Corporation ensures Yale's academic and administrative leadership adheres to sound practices while balancing current and future interests. Trustees, drawn from diverse fields of expertise, meet multiple times annually to deliberate on critical matters such as faculty and senior leadership appointments, degree conferrals, major building projects, operating and capital budgets, and the protection of the university's endowments and physical resources. As fiduciaries, the board promotes Yale's mission of excellence in teaching, research, and public service, safeguarding alumni donations and fostering innovation and scholarship. The Corporation operates through thirteen standing committees that handle specific responsibilities outlined in the university's by-laws, with additional input from faculty and student liaisons. Access to its proceedings is restricted, managed by the Office of Institutional Affairs, which supports meetings, alumni elections, and record-keeping. Notable recent appointments include Marta L. Tellado as senior trustee in 2024, Carter Brooks Simonds as successor trustee, and alumni fellows such as Jaime Teevan and Felicia Norwood, reflecting the board's commitment to diverse leadership. The board's decisions influence Yale's role as a leading research university with fifteen constituent schools, extensive campuses, and global impact. While maintaining focus on long-term sustainability and institutional integrity, the board has professional ties to influential figures, such as environmental advocate Fred Krupp serving as a board member. Governance documents and historical records underscore the Corporation's evolution from its colonial origins to a modern body navigating contemporary challenges in higher education.