Executive Committee

The Executive Committee includes the Chair and Vice Chair of the Board and typically includes Committee and Subcommittee chairs.  It is responsible for development and coordination of long range planning, collective bargaining, Board Governance, evaluation and compensation of the key officers of USNH.

The Executive Committee generally acts to coordinate the work of the Board's committees for Programs and Services, Finance, Audit, and External Affairs as well as the work of the Student Affairs, Capital Projects and Human Resource Subcommittees.  It is also authorized to act for the Board between meetings.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee is responsible for the selection of external auditors; review of the results of the annual audit at least once a year with the external auditors; oversight of USNH's conflict of interest policies and related procedures; and coordination of the efforts of USNH Internal Audit, including review and acceptance of Internal Audit's budget, the annual audit plan and the results of completed audits in accordance with established USNH policy and RSA 187-A:25-a.

The Committee is composed of the Governor, ex-officio, and at least three other Board members, none of whom can be employees of USNH and each of whom possess general accounting, business and financial knowledge. At least one of the members has expertise in finance or accounting. The chair of the Financial Affairs Committee may be a member of the audit committee but may not be its chair.

Capital Projects Subcommittee

The Capital Projects Subcommittee is responsible for providing oversight for capital projects, and prioritizing and communicating the capital investment needs of the University System of New Hampshire.  The Subcommittee reports its findings to the Financial Affairs Committee. The following are the principal duties and responsibilities of the Subcommittee:

• Review the status of capital projects for all USNH institutions
• Make recommendations to the Financial Affairs Committee on all action items relating to capital projects and property sales/acquisitions
• Communicate the capital investment needs of the University System of New Hampshire
• Review campus master plans, and make any related recommendations to appropriate Trustee committees

External Affairs Committee

The External Affairs Committee coordinates policy and planning for all institutional relations of USNH with outside constituencies. Institutional relations includes matters relating to governmental affairs, alumni affairs, community and business relations, affiliated foundations, parent organizations, the media, and any other external constituency that affects public perception of the University System and its mission.

Members of this Committee will take the lead role in advocacy efforts. It is expected, however, that the entire board of Trustees will participate in awareness and advocacy efforts on behalf of the University System. Besides advising the Board on policy matters related to external affairs and carrying out responsibilities with respect to institutional relations, this committee will support the long-range planning efforts of the Board by considering and developing efforts to elevate the status of public higher education among its primary constituencies and the citizenry of New Hampshire.

Financial Affairs Committee

The Financial Affairs Committee coordinates policy and planning for all financial matters of USNH. It shall consider all recommendations of the Chancellor and the Administrative Board of a fiscal nature that board policy directs to this Committee. Financial Affairs includes not only the operating and capital budgets of the University System, but all expenditures, revenues, fiscal commitments, property sales and acquisitions, or other transactions that affect the financial resources of USNH.

This Committee shall exercise the fiduciary responsibilities of the Board of Trustees requiring of the Chancellor such studies, reports, information, and recommendations as it may deem necessary for the proper and effective exercise of its responsibilities.  Besides advising the Board on all policy matters related to financial affairs and carrying out all responsibilities with respect to USNH finance designated by existing policy, this Committee will support the long-range planning efforts of the Board by identifying financial resources available to meet the needs of USNH programs and services.

Finance Committee on Investments

The Finance Committee on Investments, established by state law, RSA 187-A:17, is a subcommittee of the Financial Affairs Committee. The Committee is composed of the Governor of the State of New Hampshire or his/her designee; at least two other members of the Board selected by the Board chairperson; and the Vice Chancellor & Treasurer of the University System. The Committee has general responsibilities for the investment of funds of the University System in accordance with policies approved by the Board of Trustees. Specific responsibilities include the following:

• Recommend to the Board of Trustees any changes in spending policy
• Develop an asset allocation strategy and set guidelines
• Approve the engagement of any outside investment consultants
• Develop guidelines for monitoring the performance of portfolio managers and their compliance with investment guidelines
• Review quarterly investment performance reports and periodically meet with portfolio managers

Human Resources Subcommittee

The Human Resources Subcommittee reviews and recommends policy and bargaining parameters related to Employee and Labor relations, policy and trustee level oversight related to employment conditions, and overall total compensation policy for faculty and staff.  The subcommittee also makes recommendations to the Executive Committee for action on Principal Administrator compensation.

Composition of the Subcommittee normally includes Trustee liaisons to collective bargaining.    

Programs and Services Committee

The Programs and Services Committee assists USNH institutions in advancing their mutual interests to enhance affordable access to high-quality academic programs for a diverse range of students and to ensure that students are well-prepared for college during the K-12 experience by

• aligning learning and assessment standards with admission expectations,
• articulating transfer opportunities between community colleges and USNH institutions, and
• pursuing educational outreach initiatives to assist time- or place-bound learners.

The committee recommends policies and procedures for evaluating, approving, and terminating educational programs. In collaboration with the chancellor and institutional leaders, committee members are responsible to plan and respond strategically to New Hampshire’s current and prospective needs for a highly educated and skilled citizenry and workforce.

The Committee’s responsibilities also include student affairs and nonacademic activities of students, admissions, community college transfer and articulation, diversity planning and analysis, teaching and learning initiatives, distance education, off-site USNH academic programs, and research policy and promotion. In addition, the committee advises the Board on all policy matters related to operations and personnel.

Student Affairs Subcommittee

The primary function of the Student Affairs Subcommittee is to communicate to the USNH Board of Trustees, through its relationship with the Programs and Services Committee, the views and interests of the students of all USNH institutions on issues relating to the constitutional and statutory responsibilities of the Board. In representing students, the subcommittee combines the opinions of students with sound research to develop the best proposals and recommendations for the Board.

The subcommittee examines and reviews policies and services that lead to successful admission, retention, and graduation of students at the USNH campuses; reviews issues and policies related to student life; advocates for students on items pertaining to student affairs and activities including athletics; and serves as an initial entry point for examining emerging student issues.