A recent study highlights the growing expectation for universities to engage with societal issues beyond their core educational and research missions. Conducted by economist Michèle Belot at Cornell University, the research indicates that a majority of Americans believe institutions of higher education should participate in various initiatives, despite political polarization surrounding some topics. The study, published on November 7, 2024, in Science Advances, explores public attitudes towards universities’ roles in addressing issues like diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), sustainability, and free speech.
The research was carried out shortly after the election of former President Donald J. Trump and in the wake of heightened scrutiny on universities concerning their management of student protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The survey involved over 2,000 U.S. citizens and revealed stark divisions in opinions based on gender and political affiliation. While men and conservatives exhibited strong opposition to DEI initiatives, women and liberals were generally supportive.
Belot noted, “There is broad consensus for engagement of universities in a whole range of initiatives, some that are more left-leaning, others that are more right-leaning.” The findings suggest that universities have a responsibility to leverage their expertise and influence in societal debates more than large corporations.
Public Expectations for University Engagement
Historically, universities have played pivotal roles in advancing significant societal changes, from civil rights movements to environmental advocacy. As public and political discourse increasingly questions the role of these institutions, researchers sought to understand what the public expects from them, particularly when compared to corporations, which also hold considerable sway.
Belot emphasized the importance of accountability for universities, given their substantial public and private funding. The survey posed questions about whether universities or corporations should engage in ten different initiatives, including DEI, environmental sustainability, and political engagement. Notably, political engagement received broad disapproval across all demographics surveyed.
Health and well-being initiatives garnered the strongest support among participants, followed closely by global perspectives. The study found that while opinions differed on specific initiatives, there was a shared belief that universities should actively promote health and well-being, as well as foster environments for free speech and open dialogue.
Trade-offs and Priorities
In a follow-up task, participants were asked to allocate $30 between pairs of universities based on their rankings in four areas: academic performance, environmental sustainability, DEI, and free speech. Interestingly, academic performance emerged as the top priority, with the highest-ranked institutions receiving, on average, an additional $3. Support for sustainability and free speech followed, while DEI initiatives generated significant polarization.
Belot explained, “Conservatives dislike DEI so much that they are actually willing to sacrifice on academic performance rather than having a university engage in these types of activities.” The results indicated that men and conservatives contributed significantly less funding to universities perceived as strong in DEI compared to their liberal counterparts.
Despite the divisions, the research counters narratives suggesting that universities should limit their focus solely to education and research. The study underscores that health and well-being remain high priorities across diverse demographic groups.
“Universities are uniquely positioned to take the lead in fostering well-being within their communities,” the researchers concluded. By actively participating in these initiatives, universities can transcend ideological divides, fulfilling a broader societal role.
