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  • Designing the New American University by Michael M. Crow and William B. Dabars
  • Katherine L. Seto
Michael M. Crow and William B. Dabars. Designing the New American University. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2015. 344 pp. Hardcover: $34.95. ISBN-13: 978-1421417233

Research universities in the United States regularly dominate in the global rankings of higher education institutions worldwide, but may be entrenched in a model that no longer fulfills their purposes to promote scientific discovery, advance technological innovation, and disseminate knowledge for the public good. In Designing the New American University, Michael M. Crow (president of Arizona State University) and co-author William B. Dabars (a historian and research professor at Arizona State University) discuss the purposes and aspirations foundational to the historical prototypes of the American research university; examine shifts in the American mindset precipitated by evolving demographics and technological advances; and advocate for the reconceptualization of an egalitarian institution model that promotes academic excellence, demographic inclusiveness, and maximum social impact. Following his move in 2002 from Colombia University to Arizona State University, Michael Crows conceived and orchestrated a re-conceptualization of a new American university, which has afforded Arizona State University rankings of 79th and 88th among the top 100 universities in the Academic Ranking of World Universities in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Research for this model is discussed primarily in broad references throughout the book. The authors dedicate their extended narrative to the process of transformation undertaken by Arizona State University to emerge as the prototype for this new public research university and offer recommendations for adaptation of this process elsewhere.

In the introduction section, Crow and Dabars clearly set forth the notion that several crises plague the current American higher education system, such as proliferating tuition costs, public skepticism regarding the functionality of what is taught in post-secondary institutions affecting employability of graduates, limited accessibility, and trends in leading colleges and universities toward exclusive admissions practices that exclude the majority of applicants. According to the authors, the challenges faced by institutions of higher education are similar to those facing healthcare, manufacturing, and many other prominent industries, requiring restructuring and reform to remain sustainable. Crow and Dabars propose a paradigm shift to a “New American University model” (p. 12) that would allow for broad demographic access to academic excellence, “engage in research and discovery that benefits the public good, and assume responsibility for the economic, social, and cultural vitality and health and well-being of the community” (p. 61). The authors’ passion and conviction about their topic make a compelling case for the reconceptualization of the American university.

In contrast to the spirited tone of the introduction, the first three chapters of the book take a more subdued tone in reviewing the purpose and vision for the American university. In these chapters, the authors examine the causes that have lead to public and government disinvestment in higher education, consider institutions’ propensity toward the status quo, and explore justifications that contribute to institutional resistance to reform. In addition, the authors provide helpful historical context, but they also leave the reader convicted of the necessity for the kind of discovery, creativity, and innovation represented by the new American university, which is discussed more fully in subsequent chapters.

In Chapters 4 and 5, Crow and Dabars return to the original spirited tone to re-convey a conviction [End Page 465] for the reconceptualization of American colleges and universities. The authors convey a compelling, yet excessive, discussion on the impact of academic research, education, and development on local, regional, national, as well as global economic development through scientific and technological innovations and creative and scholarly endeavors in the areas of arts, humanities, and behavioral and social sciences. They argue that advances in knowledge, disseminated from academic research institutions, have unequivocally led to technological innovation and spurred economic growth, with subsequent development of entirely new industries. With this idea deliberately posited, the authors advocate for “university-industry-government partnerships” (p. 169) for external funding and collaboration to maximize the potential for knowledge production and innovation to advance broader social and economic outcomes globally. Specifically, they offer re-envisioning American higher education such that “teaching...

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