University and Community: A Reckoning?

Abstract

The modern university still retains, at its core, its medieval inspiration—a studium generale of scholars and students. But its nature has changed considerably, as have the communities it serves. Modern universities are driven by research and have taken on training and partnerships as additional responsibilities. They serve the local economy and local community but are engaged with communities of industry, donors, national economic planners, government, and global scholarly networks. With the bundling of often contradictory functions, and the constellation of communities, perhaps universities are trying to do too many things for too many stakeholders.