The purposes and coherence of universities

Abstract

Every institution in society must serve society. Otherwise it will not last long. But the question is what is the special, peculiar, unique service a university can render? How many different kinds of service can a university render without ceasing to be one, or without becoming incapable of rendering the special, peculiar, unique service it could offer? If a university is expected to meet every need, respond to every demand, and yield to every pressure, how does it avoid becoming totally other directed? What then is its claim to that freedom traditionally called academic? If it may properly respond to some demands and reject others, what is the standard of acceptance or rejection it should apply? Obviously the ordinary test of action, the test of purpose, is meaningless if the university's purpose is to do whatever the society wants. We all have a vague feeling, even yet, that there are some things a university ought not to do and some things it cannot do without ceasing to be a university. R.M. Hutchins, 'Reclothe Us In Our Rightful Mind', Educational Record, Spring 1969.