Oakland University is governed by an eight-member Board of Trustees appointed by the governor to serve eight-year terms. The board provides general supervision of the university, including control and direction of all expenditures from the institution's funds. The board also appoints the university president as well as the secretary to the board and treasurer.

Meetings
The Board of Trustees approves a schedule of regular formal sessions to be held during each calendar year, but reserves the right to cancel or postpone any of those formal sessions. The Board of Trustees also schedules special formal sessions as needed.