Universities at a crossroads: new roles for diffusing information

Historically, universities in the USA have been detached, by design and tradition, from their surrounding communities. The ivory-tower image stems from the image of a removed community consciously isolated, an institution emphasizing reflection rather than action. However, changes in technology, demographics, competition and pedagogical approaches are transforming the way universities operate. As universities seek to reduce the barriers to matriculation by linking with secondary schools (who in turn link with elementary schools, and so on), they too will become more integral to their communities.