Wingspread Declaration on Renewing the Civic Mission of the American Research University

This document is the result of a conference of university administrators and faculty and representatives of professional associations, private foundations, and civic organizations called to formulate strategies that can prepare students for responsible citizenship in a diverse democracy and to engage faculty members in developing and utilizing knowledge for the improvement of society. The declaration examines civic responsibilities of research universities and issues a call to higher education institutions to go beyond service-learning experiences and community-oriented research to renew their mission as agents of democracy. The declaration sees deep strategic challenges in finding ways to tap and free the talents of faculty, students, staff, and administrators for public engagement. The declarations suggests university curricula that challenge students' imaginations and co-curricular activities, both on and off campus, that offer opportunities for students to become engaged in community projects. It suggests that faculty help create, participate in, and take responsibility for public culture at their institutions; that staff build upon and receive recognition for local community ties; that administrators articulate the philosophical and intellectual meaning of research universities as agents of democracy; and that institutions develop admissions policies and financial arrangements that create diverse "publics" within institutions. Appended is a list of participants. (ERIC)