Western Carolina University, a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina, functions under the jurisdiction of the thirty-two-member Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina elected by the North Carolina General Assembly.  Policies of the Board of Governors are administered by the president and other members of the general administration of The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

The institution was founded in 1889 by Professor Robert Lee Madison. Chartered as Cullowhee High School, it became Cullowhee Normal and Industrial School in 1905. It became a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina on July 1, 1972, following a reorganization of higher education in North Carolina by the state legislature.

The statutory authority, membership, officers, bylaws, power and duties of the Board of Governors are contained in The Code.  The Code also describes the duties and responsibilities of the officers of The University of North Carolina and the relationship of the constituent institutions of the Board of Governors.  Copies of The Code are available from the Office of the Provost.

The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University consists of thirteen members—eight appointed by the Board of Governors, four appointed by the governor of the state, and the president of the student body, ex officio.  The Board of Trustees receives its authority by delegation from the Board of Governors on matters pertaining to the institution and as advisor to the chancellor concerning the management and development of the institution.  The officers of the Board of Trustees are a chair, a vice chair, and a secretary.  The Code includes a description of the statutory authority, duties, membership, and officers of the Board of Trustees.  The chancellor is the chief administrative officer of the University.