Board of Trustees

The Articles of Incorporation of Eastern Mennonite University establish a Board of Trustees as the governing board of the corporation. The Eastern Mennonite University Bylaws further describe the roles and responsibilities of the trustees, the president, and the faculty of the university.

The board carries primary responsibility for fiduciary oversight of the university, and its duties are outlined in Article IV of the bylaws. Article 4.1 specifies that, “all corporate actions, powers and business of EMU shall be exercised by, and under the authority of, the Board of Trustees.” This same article further describes the general powers of the board in the following terms: “The board makes policies that determine the direction of the university and ensures that financial resources are adequate to support a sound educational program.” More detailed duties of the board are delineated in Article 4.2.

The Articles of Incorporation and the Eastern Mennonite University Bylaws are available from the president's office.

The President's Cabinet

Article 5.4.b of the bylaws spells out the administrative functions of the president or those to whom s/he delegates. The president is to “endeavor to carry out the purpose and mission of the corporation as set by the Board of Trustees.” The specific responsibilities outlined in the bylaws include preparing and executing the annual budget (once approved by the trustees), auditing the financial records, employing and discharging all personnel, signing employment contracts, chairing the faculty (or delegating the chair role), serving as the official medium of communication between the faculty and the trustees and the students and trustees, submitting an annual report on the work and condition of the institution, presenting measures necessary or expedient concerning matters for which the board is responsible, and discharging “all such other duties as pertain to the office of chief executive officer of a corporation and university president and such additional duties as may be assigned by the Board of Trustees”

In carrying out her/his responsibilities, the president convenes a President's Cabinet consisting of persons to whom s/he delegates key responsibilities.