American public higher education is currently facing a significant crisis. This troubling situation has emerged after decades of public scrutiny that has focused on affordability, access, and quality. As a result, there are widespread indictments of the institution as a whole. Campus leaders and faculty members are reporting a noticeable loss of public respect, which they attribute to their alleged unresponsiveness to the growing demands for change. However, this leads us to question whether this loss of confidence is truly warranted. How did we arrive at this critical junction?

In Academic Fault Lines, Patricia J. Gumport provides a compelling narrative that explores the profound shift in societal expectations regarding what public colleges and universities are meant to be and the roles they should fulfill. Gumport attributes these evolving attitudes to the rise of ‘industry logic,’ a concept that suggests higher education must prioritize serving the economy above all else. Through her thorough analysis, she illustrates how this business-oriented mandate has had far-reaching effects on the landscape of higher education.

Gumport’s investigation reveals that the adoption of industry logic has prompted colleges and universities to restructure their operations in pursuit of efficiency gains. They have begun to adopt more corporate forms, develop closer ties with various industries, and mold their academic programs to enhance students’ future employment prospects. This shift raises important questions about the legitimacy of public higher education and how industry logic has gained traction and momentum over time.

Importantly, Gumport’s narrative is not one of defeatism. Instead, it highlights the successful efforts of leaders and educators who are dedicated to preserving and even strengthening fundamental public values. These values include educational access, the advancement of knowledge regardless of its immediate economic value, and a commitment to civic responsibility. Drawing on case studies from nine public colleges and universities, as well as insights from over 200 stakeholder interviews, Gumport offers a nuanced account of the challenges and triumphs faced by those in the field.

Ultimately, Academic Fault Lines showcases how intrepid faculty members and administrators have engaged their communities both on and off campus. They have collaborated to invent win-win scenarios that further the legacy of public higher education. This expanding legacy of service is aimed at benefiting all citizens, while also striving to preserve the centrality of education to society and the world at large.