What is the Function of the University?

Abstract: The purpose of this thesis is to explore how differences in morality polarizes the debate of what the function of the university should be, and how that might indicate a potential organizational crisis for Lund University. The study is primarily based on the case concerning the removal of teacher Johan Grant, that took place at Lund University in the fall of 2019. The thesis intends to expand knowledge in the field of organizational crisis communication, and to increase the understanding of the social climate of the university world. Through a phenomenological approach, qualitative interviews and textual analysis have been conducted. The empirical material has been analyzed through the rhetorical arena theory and moral foundation theory. The analysis indicates that there are several interpretations of what the function of the university should be and that those interpretations can appeal to different moral foundations. Further, the findings propose that different moral foundations might be in conflict with each other, thus polarizing the debate of what the function of the university should be. The authors stress the importance of dialogue in order to avoid a potential future crisis within Lund University.