Governance | Board of Trustees | University of Pittsburgh

Pink flowers outside of a building

The Board of Trustees oversees the affairs of the University of Pittsburgh and promotes its charitable, scientific and educational purposes. Specific responsibilities include the approval of the University mission; the recruitment, appointment and evaluation of the chancellor; and stewardship of Pitt resources and assets. General administrative, academic and management authority is delegated to the chancellor.

Panther statue with the Cathedral of Learning in the background

Mission Statement

Providing superior undergraduate and graduate programs…engaging in research, artistic and scholarly activities to extend the frontiers of knowledge…these and other goals are detailed in the Pitt mission statement approved by the Board of Trustees.

Strategic Priorities

Under the Board's Statement of Aspiration and Strategic Priorities, Pitt's work in the years ahead will center on consistently delivering excellence in education, making contributions of impact through pioneering research, building community strength, extending the University's global reach, providing top value and securing an adequate resource base.

Commons Room of the Cathedral of Learning

Foundational Documents

The University's governance documents include:

The Bylaws of the University of Pittsburgh
The Commonwealth Act of 1966 that designated the University as a state-related institution of higher education in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The Restated Articles of Incorporation

Policies and Procedures

For information on University-wide policies and procedures, visit the Office of Policy Development and Management website.

The Plan for Pitt

Reflecting the University's strategic goals and endorsed by the Board of Trustees, The Plan for Pitt 2021 is a roadmap for adding to Pitt's impressive achievements in improving lives and making the world better through knowledge.

Shared Governance

The Board of Trustees approved the establishment of the University Senate to represent the faculty in collegial governance of Pitt administrative and academic affairs.

Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Fossil Fuels

The Board of Trustees officially accepted the report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Fossil Fuels at its February 26, 2021, meeting and approved the Resolution to Approve Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Fossil Fuels, which accepted the findings, agreed to undertake the options, and dissolved the Ad Hoc Committee.

Requests to Speak to the Board

Members of the public may request an invitation to address the Board by submitting a written request 15 days prior to public meetings of the Board. The request should be addressed to the Chairperson of the Board and sent in care of the Office of the Secretary. The request should include the topic that would be discussed. All requests will be considered by the Chairperson. If an invitation is extended, it will be upon recognition by the Chairperson at an appropriate time during the meeting.