Abstract: Since the reform and opening up, the construction of the rule of law in colleges and universities in China has made remarkable achievements. The goal of the rule of law has been specified and pursued; the status and rights of legal persons in colleges and universities have been established; and the internal and external governance structures of colleges and universities have been constantly improved. In the new era, with the rapid development of society and profound changes in higher education, the construction of first-class universities and the deepening reform of decentralization have brought new challenges to the legal governance of institutions of higher learning. Effective measures should be taken to improve the system of laws, regulations and rules of higher education, further implement the autonomy of running a university, strengthen the administration of universities according to law, attach importance to the protection of the rights and interests of teachers and students, and promote the legal administration of universities to a new stage.

Key words: colleges and universities, legal governance, protection of rights and interests, modernization of rule of law