It shall be the duty of the members of the board of regents to attend the meetings of the board so as to take part in its deliberations. The office of any member of the board shall be vacated if he neglects to furnish an excuse in writing to the board for absence from two consecutive meetings of the board. If any member fails to attend three successive meetings of the board, without good and valid cause or excuse or without leave of absence from the chairman, or, if the chairman for any cause cannot act, from the vice-chairman of the board, his office shall be declared vacant by the board. The secretary shall in either event notify the Governor of a vacancy on the board, and the Governor shall fill the vacancy as provided by this part.