Die diverse Universität: Gefahr für die Demokratie oder Garant des Gemeinwohls?

The role of public universities in our democratic communities has changed in recent years. They are not only expected to assert themselves in the extremely competitive global top-tier research landscape and, using digital tools, prepare a diverse student body for the challenges of the coming decades. They are also tasked with building local start-up ecosystems through their transfer activities, which will ensure long-term prosperity and quality of life. Finally, they must address difficult questions regarding freedom of speech and expression on campus in light of current political developments. All of this occurs while university budgets stagnate, regardless of whether they are funded almost exclusively by tax revenues, as in Germany, or face legitimate protests against absurdly high tuition fees, as in many other countries. The author, who has served as a university president for many years, addresses these developments and makes concrete proposals for the further evolution of the public university institution.