The paper addresses the need for reform in the trusteeship of public higher education that will address coming economic, political, and social challenges. It suggests the need for clearer definition of the roles and responsibilities of lawmakers, trustees, and public higher education leaders, and key reforms that include: (1) the recruitment, nomination, and appointment of board members from a variety of sources and settings; (2) boards that are large enough to carry the work load and have effective committee structures; (3) board members who can lead by example in fund raising; (4) boards that are diverse and reflect ethnic, racial, and gender differences; (5) board members selected as at-large representatives of the state rather than from specific localities; (6) board members with the authority to oversee the internal affairs of the institution without political interference; and (7) state lawmakers who encourage experimentation with different governance models by striking mutual understandings between state government and certain public colleges and universities. Brief case examples are provided for several institutions: Pennsylvania State University, Cornell University (New York), St. Mary's College of Maryland, the University of Alabama, and the University of Virginia. Also included is a checklist for effective trusteeship. (DM)