Higher Education and Democracy’s Future
U.S. higher education has long recognized its civic mission. Clearly, that mission has shifted from efforts to provide students with apolitical civic engagement experiences to an urgent and more comprehensive democracy project. “Democracy” is a dynamic combination of political and social systems that, as we have seen in only the past few months, is neither universally embraced nor irreversible. Yet democracy’s core principles and practices – free and fair participation, inclusion and equal opportunity, ethical and reasoned public problem solving, accountable governance, adherence to truth and science, rejection of racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia and anti-Semitism, access to education and information – are also higher education’s ideals. Strengthening democracy through higher education requires strong and visible institutional commitment – especially when democracy’s core tenets are challenged.
IDHE supports this mission through applied research, resources, convening, and advocacy. Following the violent attacks in Atlanta this month, IDHE issued a statement to the community addressing our nation’s history, current social problems, and future support higher education must offer. If you haven’t yet seen it yet, you can read the full statement here, which includes reflections, resources, and how we see this as part of higher education’s mission in working towards the democracy we desire in the United States.
Today, we issue another letter to presidents and other institutional leaders (read here), building on our 2020 election season request, to use their community stature and influence to protect voting rights.
We know that higher education faces unprecedented pressures due to the pandemic, financial strains, financial and emotional challenges to students, and more, yet we’re asking higher education to add one more thing to the to-do list. We hope that campuses will view this as an opportunity. And we promise to provide support along the way.
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