Universities as Community Partners In an Age of Political Discontent

Matthew R. Auer

Abstract


This essay considers the positioning of univer­sities as community partners amid uncertain—and for many—unsettling political times. An argument is made for universities to reflect on contemporary trends and to orient their missions to these trends. Inevitably, this work requires universities to think clearly and decisively about ‘what they are good at’ vis-à-vis the needs of the community—regardless of how communities are defined.

Universities already advance different stakehold­ers’ core aims and values. But even deeper engage­ment is needed as popular allegiance to democracy shows signs of wear. Distinctive strengths of univer­sities as providers of public goods are considered. The need to step-up community partnerships, as a value-maximization strategy, is highlighted. The question of how partnerships relate to the long-term survival of universities is contemplated.


Keywords


community partnership; values; Harold D. Lasswell.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.24193/tras.SI2024.2 Creative Commons License
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