The moral responsibility of the university

What is the moral responsibility of a group which compose an institution like a university? In attempting to propose an answer, it is important to recognize the purpose for which this institution came into being. Rashdall, who is perhaps the best authority on the European forbears of our university, does not show that responsibility for morals, in the then condition of society, was any great responsibility of the university. They were places where persons could seek knowledge, dispute, secure licenses to practice teaching, preaching, medicine, etc. These universities were closely related to the church, and in many cases, received documents of authority from the church. The church desired the promotion of religion and that included morals. However, heresy was more likely to arouse ecclesiastical action than infraction of morals. There were exceptions and perhaps the case of Abelard

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