U.S. Universities Lose Lead in Intellectual Social Responsibility.

In the 1960's, many U.S. college students became disillusioned with the country's social policy and began to demonstrate for equality and justice for the oppressed in America. These young visionaries became role models throughout the world while fighting for "freedom for all." Fifty years later, and the major problems facing society such as sustainable development, human rights, and peace initiatives, have become global concerns. But rather than being in the forefront and actively confronting these issues, most American students and universities today are simply maintaining the status quo. (That is, perhaps with the exception of touting a "green campus" that uses recycled paper for napkins in the cafeteria or provides bicycles for student use.) While the United States is lagging behind in intellectual social responsibility, other universities throughout the world are actively engaged in improving the social, political, economic, and cultural lives of their nation and the world, and see it as their duty to meet the challenges of the 21st century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]