Archaeology can shed light on how institutions of higher education function and change over time, as well as their impact on and relationship with broader society. The Michigan State University Campus Archaeology Program investigates the university's material record to develop a better understanding of how land grant institutions have changed and affected culture. This type of archaeology requires establishing relationships with university administration, developing research strategies that engage across campus and academic units, and regularly involving various stakeholders like students, faculty, staff, and local communities.

1. Archaeology and the Academy: Why is Such Research Important?
Terry P. Brock and Lynne G. Goldstein, Michigan State University
In recent years, historical archaeologists have acknowledged the potential for examining the material culture of the institutions at which they work.
Institutions of higher education have been an integral part of the American and colonial fabric since Harvard was established in 1636, and they have
only increased their level of cultural influence in modern society. Archaeology can shed light on how these institutions function, how their development
has changed over time, and how they impact and are impacted by larger elements of society. The Michigan State University Campus Archaeology
Program is a broadly based approach to the universityʼs material record, seeking to develop a better understanding of how Land Grant institutions
changed over time, and how this has affected culture at large. This program serves as an example of a successful approach to investigating the
archaeology of higher education.
What types of questions can be asked? How do you do this type of
• What is the relationship of higher education to the broader cultural archaeology?
context, and how does that relationship change over time, and vice
• Establish working relationship with higher
versa?
administration and facilities management.
• How are goals and/or the intent of the university mission expressed in
• Develop and present program in terms and
the material record?
language that address various officesʼ needs
• How do instituions change while respecting their social & cultural
and strategies.
traditions?
• Develop an overall research strategy that
• How does the large percentage of transients at a university impact the
will encompass work across campus, as well
material record of the university and its surrounding community?
as work on different scales.
• Engage with other academic units, present
What are some challenges? papers and posters at academic
• Universities and colleges change rapidly and frequently, conferences, publish results of work, &
endangering archaeological sites. engage in public relations in terms of
• Sites are often small and span many decades or centuries. research importance & information.
• University history is often considered public relations and not • Engage undergraduate and graduate
scholarship. students in implementation of research,
• It is often difficult to convince administration of a programʼs high projects, teaching, and engagement.
value, but low cost & resource requirements. • Develop a plan to address and regularly
engage various stakeholders.
• Visit MSU Campus Archaeology Program
Who are the stakeholders? website for details of how we have
implemented these items
Stakeholders in the archaeology of higher (campusarch.msu.edu)
education include more groups than one might
initially expect: university students, faculty, staff
(including facilities staff), administrators, alumni,
and other archaeologists, as well as local
communities and citizens.