Rutgers is America's eighth oldest institution of higher education, chartered as a colonial college in 1766 and designated a land-grant institution in 1864. The Board of Trustees was the governing body of the university from the time of its founding as Queen's College in 1766 until the university was reorganized under Chapter 61, Laws of 1956, as Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

The 1956 act created the Board of Governors as the primary governing body of the university with the Board of Trustees continuing in an advisory capacity with certain fiduciary responsibilities. As part of its compact with the state, Rutgers maintains autonomy in academic matters such as programs of study, student-body composition, faculty hiring and promotion, and labor negotiations. It also maintains control of its lands, endowments, and assets.

Members of the Board of Governors and Board of Trustees are distinguished volunteers drawn from New Jersey's business and policy leaders and Rutgers alumni. They receive no monetary compensation, and their terms are limited to no more than two six-year consecutive terms.

For more information about the governing boards of the university and to view the membership listing, visit http://ruweb.rutgers.edu/governance.