Ivory Tower No More

Are Universities More Engaged With Their Cities Now?

Throughout the 20th century, Eastman Kodak–whose bankruptcy has been in the news recently–was the largest employer in the city of Rochester. But 70 years after George Eastman’s death, another institution he helped build took over that mantle. In 2006, the University of Rochester became the largest employer in the city. Jeff Selingo, the editor and vice president of The Chronicle of Higher Education, opened a panel featuring the heads of four major urban research universities by citing Rochester as an example of how institutions of higher education have become more …

What Should Universities Do For Their Cities?

Perspectives On How Gown Can Help Town

 

Universities often set up shop in cities, and cities often set up shop around universities. But the relationship between the two communities–town and gown–can be quite distant, even hostile. What …