This study identified seven categories of influence of local college governing boards, based on how they were established and their members appointed. Information was drawn from questionnaires sent to staffs of statewide coordinating bodies and multicampus governing boards; from statutes, local board policies, bylaws, and handbooks; and from interviews of board members and administrators. The study identified 41 local governing boards of public multicampus universities in 28 states. The seven categories, ordered by level of influence are: (1) local boards receiving broad authority delegated by legislation, the governing board, or both; (2) local boards created by governmental and/or university authority; (3) local boards with some members also serving on the overall governing board; (4) local boards given only limited authority by legislation; (5) local boards with limited authority, created as statutory successors to boards of previously independent institutions; (6) local boards with limited responsibility and with members appointed by the overall governing board or head of campus; and (7) local boards that are primarily advisory boards to the campus head. Recommendations include specific statements of duties and policies, defined areas of local responsibility, linkages between governing and local boards, administrative and staff support for local boards, and liability insurance for members of local boards. (JLS)