Gold and God: American Universities Targeted

Abstract American universities are increasingly threatened with cuts in government funding unless they eradicate diversity promoting programmes. To contextualize the targeting, this article reflects on two major organizational transformations in higher education in America: the rise and diffusion of university fundraising development offices and the emergence and growth of university diversity offices. The former was part of a long-term multiple stakeholder strategy that would make universities see themselves as less dependent on government. The latter reflected a more recent shift in the direction of valorizing diversity. Operating as organizational actors, universities launched both strategic initiatives. In retrospect universities underestimated their dependence on federal funding and overestimated public support for diversity promoting policies. American universities have both acquiesced and resisted the attacks on their institutional autonomy and the academic freedom of their professors. Calls for university leadership to save the university will ironically lead to more organization and greater management.