ABSTRACT

What constitutes “service” in the academy? In this study, the authors review the classic literature in the field and conduct mixed-methods research to uncover the values promoted by their college. They participated in the creation of a conference about “diversity” in Upstate New York, and tracked the impact of the conference upon participants. Through surveys and questionnaires, interviews, and “office conversations,” they illustrate several findings. First, the requirement of “service” for tenuretrack faculty remains both flexible and amorphous. Second, subjects who work for the college note that much in-house service-such as that which is required by committee-work-often feels solipsistic. Finally, they and the authors advocate for more service that is explicitly conducted for the public good by reaching out beyond the immediate campus.