A City and Its Universities: A Mayor's Perspective

Abstract

This essay examines the role and function of metropolitan universities, with an analysis of future needs as related to the city and its growth. To this end, the essay reviews demographics, technology development, quality of life, resource needs, and the role of local, state, and federal governments in supporting the growth of metropolitan universities. These statistics indicate that broad dimensions of this partnership between metropolitan universities and their cities must move beyond limited research agreements. A call for expanded agreements in research and development, contracted education, and basic research requires new visions by those who plan for expanded involvement between metropolitan universities and cities.