Education isn’t enough: Survey shows Americans believe colleges have a bigger role in society
Americans increasingly expect universities to engage beyond teaching and research, taking active roles in addressing societal issues such as sustainability, free speech, and health, according to a new study by Cornell University, as cited by the Cornell Chronicle, the newspaper published by the university. At the same time, the public clearly draws the line at political activism, signalling nuanced expectations for higher education institutions.
How Americans view universities’ societal role
Conducted in late 2024, shortly after President Donald Trump’s election, the survey covered over 2,000 US citizens. It explored public attitudes towards the societal role of universities, benchmarking them against major corporations. Broad support emerged for universities taking the lead on social initiatives, with health and well-being receiving the strongest backing, followed by global perspectives.
Politics, gender and priorities
While consensus exists on many issues, the survey revealed clear political divides. Women and liberals supported diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, whereas men and conservatives opposed them. Conservatives were even willing to prioritise academic performance over DEI, effectively penalising universities pursuing these programmes. Despite such polarization, Americans generally believe universities should contribute to society beyond their core educational mission, Cornell Chronicle reports.
Universities as agents of societal well-being
Michèle Belot, Frances Perkins Professor of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell and first author of the study published in Science Advances, explained that universities are uniquely positioned to foster societal well-being. The public expects these institutions to engage across a “whole range of initiatives, some that are more left-leaning, others that are more right-leaning,” while maintaining accountability given the scale of resources and influence they command, Cornell Chronicle reports.
Funding choices reveal public priorities
Participants were also asked to allocate funds between universities based on rankings in academic performance, sustainability, DEI, and free speech. Academic excellence remained the top priority (10% of the total), followed closely by environmental sustainability and free speech, while DEI saw highly divergent support depending on political and gender lines. The study concluded that universities enjoy broader latitude than corporations in social engagement, with health, well-being, and free speech standing out as areas of common concern across demographics.The study, led by Belot at Cornell with co-authors Lea Cassar and Karoline Ströhlein of the University of Regensburg, Germany, underscores the enduring societal role of higher education. From advancing civil rights to promoting environmental initiatives, universities have historically shaped public discourse. Today, the survey suggests that Americans still see them as key actors in societal progress, capable of influencing communities in ways that transcend ideological divides.
Education alone may not suffice
In a time where education alone may not equip citizens for complex global challenges, this research highlights the expectation that colleges and universities engage meaningfully with society. As the Cornell Chronicle reports, Americans broadly agree that universities should leverage their expertise and resources to address societal issues, while carefully steering the boundaries of political involvement.
