ERIC Number: ED222097
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1982-Jan-15
Pages: 16
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
The Role of Voluntarism in America.
Hesburgh, Theodore M.
The role of voluntarism in America is considered by the President of the University of Notre Dame. It is suggested that Americans take voluntarism for granted and that its importance is not appreciated until comparisons are made to countries where everything is of, by, and for the state, even citizens and their rights. Before World War II, the federal involvement in education was minimal, about $60 million a year. After the war, when higher education enlarged, the federal government became its largest benefactor. Government loans were needed for academic buildings, research, and financial aid for students, among other areas. When federal support for education reached over $80 billion a year, regulators became important. It is suggested that too great a dependence on the government at the expense of voluntarism can unduly restrict freedom. A reasonable balance, where voluntarism and government aid are synergistic, working together rather than at cross-purposes, is advocated. Despite what many would call excessive federal involvement, some unique accomplishments have taken place (e.g., universal access to higher education and support of research and graduate education in universities). What is needed to maintain current gains in many critical areas is a partnership of voluntary and governmental efforts. Also a rebirth of voluntarism in new forms is desirable, as is a rebirth of collaboration between business and higher education. (SW)
Descriptors: Agency Role, Cooperative Programs, Federal Aid, Federal Regulation, Government Role, Government School Relationship, Higher Education, Organizations (Groups), School Business Relationship, Voluntary Agencies, Volunteers
Business-Higher Education Forum, One Dupont Circle, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036.
Publication Type: Speeches/Meeting Papers; Opinion Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Business-Higher Education Forum, Washington, DC.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A