The suggestion that communities must strike a balance between individualism and communitarianism does little to resolve particular controversies. The federal and state governments have backed away from earlier commitments to support community development and social welfare programs. Some social problems are not well suited to predominantly local solutions. Local communities are now obliged to find creative, community-based solutions to problems created by dwindling support from those most able to pay. The genuinely valuable new tools of participatory community development can be the consolation prize for communities that can't fund community development from the local tax base.
Community is a cozy concept.
Inc. The role of the university. The university should be engaged with the community. This can mean bringing to bear the university's financial and academic resources in a systematic way in support of community development. Everyone should be involved in and contribute to their community, including university employees. It is, of course, a Good Thing that many individuals choose to be contributing members of the communities they live in.