Governance of Yale University

Yale University is a specially chartered corporation, and including its component undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools, it is a single legal entity. Its governance structure is established by and described in key documents, principally the Charter and Yale Corporation By-Laws. The President and “Fellows of Yale College,” also called “The Yale Corporation” or “The Corporation,” are the University’s trustees, and comprise the University’s governing body, which is vested with overall supervision of the affairs of the University. The seven Officers of the University are vested with its day-to-day administration. The By-Laws also describe the foundation of academic governance of the University, including the respective roles of the Deans of the twelve schools of the University and various governing boards and faculties.

Yale’s first Charter legislation dates to October 9, 1701, when the General Court of the Connecticut Colony adopted an “Act for Liberty to Erect A Collegiate School,” providing for the foundation of a

Collegiate School within his Majesties Colony of Connecticot wherein Youth may be instructed in the Arts & Sciences who thorough the blessing of Almighty God may be fitted for Publick employment both in Church & Civil State.

Fifteen subsequent Charter legislative enactments, the latest adopted in 1887 when the University legally took the name “Yale University,” trace Yale’s development from a colonial college to major research university. Although the University has been greatly transformed in the years since the Charter’s adoption, this excerpt from the 1701 “Act for Liberty” still summarizes the University’s core mission.

Beginning in 1818, each version of the Constitution of the State of Connecticut has re-affirmed the University’s Charter with the following language:

The charter of Yale College, as modified by agreement with the corporation thereof, in pursuance of an act of the General Assembly, passed in May, 1792, is hereby confirmed. (Article Eighth, Section 1.)

All substantive amendments to the Charter since the formation of the United States have been formally adopted by both the State legislature and the Yale Corporation.

The Miscellaneous Regulations of the Yale Corporation, which supplement the Bylaws, govern the nomination and election of Trustees to the Corporation, degrees awarded, the use of the Yale name, the patent policy and certain other matters.

The Faculty Handbook, the grievance procedures, and other key policies (including the Patent Policy, the Copyright Policy, and the Standards of Business Conduct) are promulgated by and maintained on the website of the Office of the Provost. The administrative offices of the University are guided by policies, procedures and forms that are routinely updated and may also be accessed through the homepages of the Provost, the Controller, and the Offices of Finance and Administration. Major changes in University policy are generally announced in the Yale Bulletin and Calendar.