Public service in higher education is an important function of American colleges and universities. The nature and purposes of higher education can be revealed through three popular metaphors--ivory tower, social service station, and culture mart. It can best be fulfilled through ideas of value, social criticism, social problem solving, or social activism. Although service activities vary across different types of institutions, the easiest way to categorize public service is by external recipient: service to the community, to state and local governments, and to business and industry. Community service is especially important for community colleges, but governmental links are important to state universities, and research universities can develop formal research partnerships with corporations. (LB)