Universities as Engines of Democratic Sustainable Development

Since the 19th century, universities have played major roles in economic development, for better or (mostly) worse. Given the current economic crisis and the clout and power of US universities (they employ more than 2% of the workforce and their collective GDP is more than 300 billion) why not have them promote economic development that is participatory, democratic, inclusive, community-based and sustainable? This workshop will relate the experience of students and faculty at a sizeable multiracial-ethnic urban public university (Brooklyn College/CUNY) and its efforts, both successes (student run coffee collective, aquaponics facility, community garden, new programs, facilities management) and limitations (lack of coordination, social fragmentation…).