Alumni-elected Regent process announced

Since its founding in 1845, Baylor has been governed by a board of regents or trustees who maintain legal authority for the well-being of the university. The men and women who serve Baylor as Regents safeguard the mission and heritage of the institution, provide strategic direction for the institution, collaborate with university leadership and faculty, and assess resources needed to accomplish goals and support the university mission. The first group of trustees included university founders Judge R.E.B. Baylor, James Huckins and William Tryon; over time, Baylor’s board has counted among its members such familiar names as Earl C. Hankamer, Marrs McLean, George Harvey Penland, Pat Neff and George W. Truett.

Like all accredited universities, Baylor is governed today by an independent board of regents who strive to reflect the diversity of the university's many constituencies. Baylor's Board includes business and civic leaders, pastors and professionals, faculty and students, alumni and parents of Baylor students. Though they bring to their service to Baylor a variety of backgrounds, interests and areas of expertise, Regents share in common a single goal: the continued advancement and support of an academically strong and faith-based Baylor University.

In June 2016, Baylor welcomed the first alumni-elected Regents to service on the Board. Alumni-elected Regents will serve three-year terms; however, the 2016 appointees were installed with one-, two- and three-year terms to allow the election process to commence in spring 2017. The process outlined on this page governs the annual nomination, review, and selection of alumni-elected Regents. Each year, one alumni-elected Regent will complete their term and the graduates of Baylor University will select or re-elect an alumni-elected Regent following the timeline below.

Timeline for Nominations and Election

Qualifications and Eligibility

Graduates of Baylor University who are committed Christians, active members of a Baptist church or local church from a historic Christian tradition are eligible to be nominated with some exceptions. Please review the complete list of eligibility guidelines and qualifications online at alumniregents.web.baylor.edu. Candidates for alumni-elected Regent must meet additional qualifications, complete an application and agree to abide by election rules.

Nomination Process

Nominees for alumni-elected Regent may be nominated by any alumnus who submits a nomination supported by the signatures of at least 50 other Baylor graduates. In addition, nominations submitted by the various advisory and advocacy boards and groups associated with Baylor University will be considered by the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee is comprised of the remaining two alumni-elected Regents and two other Regents.

Introduction of Candidates

Candidates may not run on platforms but on their accomplishments. Baylor is not permitted to endorse or oppose any candidate. The President of Baylor and members of the President's Executive Council are not permitted to participate in funding, endorsing or opposing any candidate. Baylor will utilize Baylor Magazine, the Baylor website and social media to introduce candidates and their credentials to alumni.

Election and Announcement

All recipients of a Baylor undergraduate or graduate degree are eligible to vote in the election, which will be conducted by an independent third party in late April/early May. However, in order to receive voting credentials, the university must have a current mailing address. The best way to make sure the university has this information is to use the Alumni Directory found online at baylor.edu/alumni/directory.

More details online // For a more thorough explanation of the alumni-elected Regent process, including the downloadable nomination form, a complete list of qualifications of alumni-elected board members and limitations to who may serve in this role, please visit the alumni-elected Regent section of the Baylor website at https://alumniregents.web.baylor.edu.

The alumni-elected Regent process is overseen by the Office of General Counsel at Baylor University. For questions, contact General Counsel, One Bear Place #97034, Waco, TX 76798-7034, by phone at (254) 710-3821 or email at alumni_election@baylor.edu.