American U. Makes Governance Changes

American University’s Board of Trustees made numerous changes in its operations on Friday, after a scandal involving the former president of the institution, reports The Chronicle of Higher Education and The Washington Post.

The measures were adopted after seven months of debate and are aimed at creating a more open system of governing at the university. Last fall the university’s president, Benjamin Ladner, was ousted over concerns that he was paid too much and abused his expense account.

The scandal also raised questions about the board, and which of Mr. Ladner’s actions it had approved. Mr. Ladner said the board had approved his compensation.

Sen. Charles E. Grassley, Republican of Iowa, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, last week gave university officials 10 days to provide new information to the committee. He suggested he might propose legislation to change the institution’s governance.

Trustees said they hoped their changes would mean that Mr. Grassley would not take any additional action.

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