The Functions of Higher Education

In very broad outline, the history of higher education in the United States has had four phases characterized by their primary function: preserving Christian civilization, advancing the national interest, research, and growing the global economy. Today, when we talk about the need for more higher education the assumption is that what is needed is more education devoted to economic growth and, to a lesser extent, certain types of research. Against this background there have always been a few outliers, colleges that do not fit this general trend. These colleges make it clear that there are alternatives to the status quo that do not involve retreating to some previous mode of higher education. It is also possible to educate young people for the continuation of Western civilization, public service, and environmental civilization. Given the critical importance of the global environmental crisis, a good case can be made for looking at these alternatives to the status quo, especially those alternatives that focus on public service and environmental sustainability. The simple fact that higher education has shifted over the centuries in terms of its mission provides some reason to believe that it could, once again, adopt a new form.