In the Shadow of the Ivory Tower: How Universities are Plundering our Cities: by Davarian L. Baldwin

Abstract

In today’s politically charged, anti-education climate, In the Shadow of the Ivory Tower should be required reading for every urban community organizer and higher education stakeholder. Davarian L. Baldwin blends captivating interview excerpts and thoroughly researched data to tell the stories of the winners and losers in and around well-known universities in urban areas from coast to coast. Cultural differences, policing problems, economic disparities, real estate transactions, taxes, and subsidies are all addressed. In the Shadow of the Ivory Tower is a powerful conversation starter about who really benefits from the physical presence of American universities, and how universities might change their tactics to expand those benefits to communities at large.

L’excellence contre la science. Quand la mise en compétition et la bureaucratisation éloignent l’université de ses missions

“…Leur implication territoriale vise néanmoins des opérations rentables pour elles et leurs « étudiant•es-client•es », que ce soit pour lever des fonds philanthropiques, valoriser l'environnement proche ou trouver des opportunités pour la recherche et l'enseignement (stages, commandes, bénévolat). Leurs poids démographique, économique et financier dans les jeux d'acteurs locaux leur donnent une place prépondérante dans le développement urbain (Dang Vu 2014), pouvant renforcer les ruptures socio-spatiales (Baldwin 2021) et les inégalités (gentrification, sur-sollicitation de partenaires locaux).…”

“Strained relationships”: A participatory action research study examining relationships between Black communities and historically White institutions.

“…Aside from the historical context, scholars have studied the ways that Black communities were and still are forced from their homes due to university expansion, urban renewal, and studentification (Baldwin, 2021;Hoodecheck, 2017;Pickren, 2012;Smith et al, 2014;Stewart, 2019). While HWIs experience growth and wish to provide amenities for their students, communities experience "studentification."…”

“…Meaning that universities often disregard the long-term impact of their campuses on marginalized communities. Instead of helping local communities, institutions generally exploit neighborhoods, buy most of the property near campuses, push out small businesses, and force community activism (Baldwin, 2021). An example of this exploitation is seen most recently during the COVID-19 pandemic when deaths soared across the country in college towns (Ivory et al, 2021;Lennon et al, 2022).…”

Political Considerations for Establishing Research-Practice Partnerships in Pursuit of Equity: Organizations, Projects, and Relationships

“…For example, universities across the country buying up local land, on which they do not pay property taxes due to their non-for-profit status (Grabar, 2018). In doing so, universities reduce the tax revenues available to local municipalities to fund schools, social services, neighborhood development initiatives, and so on (Baldwin, 2021). In municipalities where a discourse of being "broke" is routinely referenced as the reason for chronic underfunding (and corresponding privatization) of public schools, the role of universities in preventing municipalities from providing this vital funding is especially stark, and relevant for educational stakeholders considering engaging in partnered research (Tresser, 2016).…”