The Value of College Advisory Boards

Abstract

An introductory study of advisory boards connected with two-and four-year hospitality-administration programs found that the boards' chief role is in providing advice on curriculum matters. Members of four-year boards often find themselves also assisting in fundraising and development, while members of two-year-program boards tend to focus more on recommendations for facilities and equipment. While the board must have a strong sense of purpose, its overall agenda should come from the hospitality program's director. Some programs reported problems in getting their boards together, but having 15 to 20 board members should make it possible to achieve a quorum at each meeting. Most of the boards met semi-annually.