The University of Massachusetts is governed by a lay Board of Trustees representing various interests in the public at large on a non-partisan basis. The Board functions as a legislative body dealing mainly with questions of policy and when required by the Massachusetts General Laws, it may function as an appeal body. The Board is not an administrative or management board.
The Board establishes the general policies governing the University, but has delegated many powers to the President and, through the President, to campus administrators for day-to-day-operations. Appropriate University personnel are held strictly accountable by the Trustees for developing sound administrative policies.