The study of the perspectives in the field of university governance has had increasing prominence, especially taking into account the unquestionable need to advance towards more efficient organizations, connected with the expectations that society has about them. Given this scenario, this work's central purpose was to conduct a synchronous analysis of the concept of governance and the constitution of university governments. As for methodology, we used secondary sources: a review of papers published mainly in English-language journals. The study focuses on the sixties and seventies and addresses the roots of the concept of university governance, delineating the actors in university governments, and the power relations between them. Among the key findings, it can be highlighted that the academic stratum, since the start of universities, has played an almost plenipotentiary role in university governments and, as a result, in the course of university development, and, as organizational complexity increased, it was necessary to incorporate new actors into management systems; all the above considering that two elements have been fundamental for the survival of these institutions: the legitimacy granted by society and the beginning of strategies in the management area.