Governance and Policies
Board Leadership
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is responsible for ensuring that the university is furthering its mission organizationally, administratively, educationally, spiritually, socially, and financially. It also assures adequate facilities as well as a policy framework for the university’s administration.
The Board consists of 25 members, at least two-thirds of whom must be U.S. citizens. It is a free-standing, self-perpetuating body which elects its members in three classes with three-year terms to ensure continuity of membership.
The Board has several functions.
From a leadership position, it:
- selects, supports, or removes the president of the university;
- ensures that an adequate mission statement exists;
- ensures that an adequate long-range plan is developed;
- assists in raising funds for the university.
The BOT plays a stewardship role in overseeing the management of university assets, in order to:
- ensure that resources are used to further the institution’s mission and purpose;
- ensure that assets are managed effectively and adequate safeguards are in place to protect the future of the university.
It also audits the institution’s performance per external standards, in order to:
- judge the academic standards of the faculty against the standards for the type of institution to which they belong, utilizing outside specialists as necessary;
- evaluate the financial health of the institution, through an annual audit and comparative data from other institutions;
- devise means of assessing the management performance of the administrative staff, utilizing outside consultants when necessary, or by redefining the annual audit to include management auditing.
Board of International Advisors
The Board of International Advisors brings together individuals of distinction who, through their talents, experience, and wisdom, assist in furthering LAU’s mission. It is charged with enhancing the visibility and reputation of the university.
As an advisor on university policies, the BIA provides guidance to the Board of Trustees, president and senior management on matters related to academic programming (particularly cross-border and jointly sponsored programs), development (particularly the identification of new sources of giving), alumni, community, recruitment, and more.
The Board of International Advisors consists of up to 25 members, one of whom is the president of the Alumni Association and two of whom are National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon nominees. International Advisors are appointed in three classes with three-year terms to ensure continuity of membership.