The Dartmouth College Board of Trustees has the ultimate responsibility for the financial, administrative, and academic affairs of the College and holds Dartmouth's assets in trust. Some of the board's responsibilities include appointing the president and supporting his or her goals; determining the mission of the institution and approving long-range plans to carry it out; reviewing the educational program; approving the institution's budget and managing the endowment; and ensuring an adequate and well-maintained physical plant.

The board meets five times per year in Hanover. The trustees have standing committees to carry on the business of the board in specific areas. The basic operating committees, which meet regularly, are Academic Affairs, Alumni Relations, Finance, Governance, Investment, Master Plan and Facilities, and Student Affairs. The majority of the trustees' work is channeled through these major committees and all report to the board in an advisory capacity. Trustees also serve as representatives to numerous governing boards for the graduate schools and other departments. Individual trustees serve Dartmouth in a variety of other ways. As Dartmouth's most important ambassadors, they meet with students, faculty, and administrators and speak to alumni at club, class, and reunion events.