Role of Elite Universities
It's no secret that elite American universities hold enormous, perhaps a disproportionate amount of sway in society, including producing some of the most influential people in the world. For example, 5 of the last 6 US Presidents, 8 of 9 current US Supreme Court Justices, and all but the last two World Bank presidents since 2000 attended Ivy League schools.
And yet, it seems increasingly difficult to run an elite university. Students increasingly demand more from their schools and professors, whether it's reckoning with its racist history and symbols or guaranteeing a "safe space"; meanwhile, universities are also in the middle of shifting political tides, often criticized by conservatives for being too "woke.”
What exactly is the role and responsibility of the (elite) university in the modern world? What is the balance between educating and nurturing, shaping the minds of future leaders (yes, collective eye roll but it's not entire untrue), allowing for academic freedom, etc.? Should universities as institutions be expected to take specific positions or mostly stay the course of institutional neutrality (in the name of academic freedom)?
Sign up to discuss, in person. Location in central Manhattan. Food and beverages will be provided.
It's no secret that elite American universities hold enormous, perhaps a disproportionate amount of sway in society, including producing some of the most influential people in the world. For example, 5 of the last 6 US Presidents, 8 of 9 current US Supreme Court Justices, and all but the last two World Bank presidents since 2000 attended Ivy League schools.
And yet, it seems increasingly difficult to run an elite university. Students increasingly demand more from their schools and professors, whether it's reckoning with its racist history and symbols or guaranteeing a "safe space"; meanwhile, universities are also in the middle of shifting political tides, often criticized by conservatives for being too "woke.”
What exactly is the role and responsibility of the (elite) university in the modern world? What is the balance between educating and nurturing, shaping the minds of future leaders (yes, collective eye roll but it's not entire untrue), allowing for academic freedom, etc.? Should universities as institutions be expected to take specific positions or mostly stay the course of institutional neutrality (in the name of academic freedom)?
Sign up to discuss, in person. Location in central Manhattan. Food and beverages will be provided.
It's no secret that elite American universities hold enormous, perhaps a disproportionate amount of sway in society, including producing some of the most influential people in the world. For example, 5 of the last 6 US Presidents, 8 of 9 current US Supreme Court Justices, and all but the last two World Bank presidents since 2000 attended Ivy League schools.
And yet, it seems increasingly difficult to run an elite university. Students increasingly demand more from their schools and professors, whether it's reckoning with its racist history and symbols or guaranteeing a "safe space"; meanwhile, universities are also in the middle of shifting political tides, often criticized by conservatives for being too "woke.”
What exactly is the role and responsibility of the (elite) university in the modern world? What is the balance between educating and nurturing, shaping the minds of future leaders (yes, collective eye roll but it's not entire untrue), allowing for academic freedom, etc.? Should universities as institutions be expected to take specific positions or mostly stay the course of institutional neutrality (in the name of academic freedom)?
Sign up to discuss, in person. Location in central Manhattan. Food and beverages will be provided.