Private Universities in the Public Interest

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Private universities have played pivotal roles in the U.S. economy, culture and politics, yet today they face unprecedented levels of public skepticism and distrust.

We see this as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revisit and revise the relationship between private universities and the American people—a time when fresh perspectives on higher education’s role in society and bold initiatives to enhance it are not just possible, but necessary. These institutions have tremendous resources, and our research shows how the history of the system’s relationship with society both enables and compels these schools to pursue transformative civic action.

 

Work and Resources

Auditorium

POLICY BRIEF

An Agenda for America’s Universities to Serve the Public Interest

Ideas for bridging the divide between universities and the public, re-envisioning these institutions to better deliver on their promise of economic opportunity and mobility.

Ralph Richard Banks, Emily J. Levine, Hoang Pham, Mitchell L. Stevens, and Dan Sutton

Stanford Center for Racial Justice
Published: May 23, 2025

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Private Universities in the Public Interest 8

WHITE PAPER

Private Universities in the Public Interest

Renewing the relationship between American universities and society to address the most pressing challenges of our time.

Ralph Richard Banks, Emily J. Levine, Emily Olick Llano, Hoang Pham, Mitchell L. Stevens, and Dan Sutton

Stanford Center for Racial Justice
Published: November 1, 2024

 

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The Project

In the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Students for Fair Admissions case, we launched a Law and Policy Lab at Stanford Law School in Fall 2023 to reconsider the responsibilities of these universities to the American people. (Photo by Kurt Hickman)
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On September 5 and 6, 2024, the coauthors convened a diverse group of education thinkers, innovators, and leaders at Stanford Law School to consider the role of these colleges and universities in society.
Based at Stanford Law School and Stanford Graduate School of Education, the project’s team of researchers works together to reimagine the relationship between universities and society. (Photo by Kurt Hickman)