Professor Leonard I. Krimerman Student-Directed Community Service Fund
Project grants to support educational freedom.
About the Inner College
Office of Outreach & Engagement
About the Inner College
The University of Connecticut's Inner College was a unique educational initiative that operated from 1969 to 1978. It was designed to provide an alternative, experimental approach to higher education. The Inner College focused on creating a more flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum and emphasized student self-direction and responsibili
The University of Connecticut's Inner College was a unique educational initiative that operated from 1969 to 1978. It was designed to provide an alternative, experimental approach to higher education. The Inner College focused on creating a more flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum and emphasized student self-direction and responsibility in their learning processes. It was part of a broader movement during that era to innovate and reform traditional educational models.
The program allowed students to design their own academic paths and engage in projects that cut across conventional disciplinary boundaries. This approach aimed to foster a more personalized and holistic educational experience. However, despite providing a formative educational experience for many students, the Inner College program was eventually phased out, but its spirit lives on in the UConn Office of Outreach & Engagement, which will help administer the Leonard I. Krimerman Student-Directed Community Service Fund and in the UConn individualized major program.
Anarchism at UConn: UConn Library Archives
Len Krimerman - BIO
Office of Outreach & Engagement
About the Inner College
Leonard I. Krimerman is a distinguished Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the University of Connecticut. He has devoted his life to bridging the gap between the academic and community worlds, especially as it fosters economic justice.
He has had a significant academic career, joining UConn's faculty in 1968 and retiring in 2012. He ea
Leonard I. Krimerman is a distinguished Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the University of Connecticut. He has devoted his life to bridging the gap between the academic and community worlds, especially as it fosters economic justice.
He has had a significant academic career, joining UConn's faculty in 1968 and retiring in 2012. He earned his B.A. and Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1955 and 1964, respectively. His scholarly interests span democracy studies, ecology, social science, autonomy, philosophy of work, healthcare, and education.
Educational pioneer
One of Len's many accomplishments is the founding the Inner College project at the University of Connecticut from 1969 to 1975 with UConn philosophy department colleague Robert Luyster. This innovative educational initiative emphasized student-directed learning and community engagement, significantly impacting students and alumni who have gone on to contribute meaningfully to various community and civic projects. His work and dedication to educational innovation have had a lasting impact, fostering opportunities for students to engage in meaningful community development activities beyond the traditional classroom setting.
Community activist
Len also co-founded the Grassroots Economic Organizing Collective (GEO), which produces a free, online publication, books that support solidarity and cooperative economies worldwide. He was also a driving force at International Poultry – an employee-owned food processing plant and has also worked as a creative community building consultant since 1992 and has helped develop several cooperative organizations in Eastern Connecticut since 1968, building bridges between the many varieties of grassroots democracy over the past six decades, including helping develop the Windham Hour Exchange, a community barter initiative in and around Willimantic, Conn.
Noted author
In addition to his educational and community work, Len has authored several important works, including 'Patterns of Anarchy" and "The Nature and Scope of Social Science," which reflect his deep engagement with political philosophy and social theory.
In recognition of his contributions,
the university has established the Professor Leonard I. Krimerman Student-Directed Community Service Fund to support student-led community service projects.
Office of Outreach & Engagement
Office of Outreach & Engagement
Office of Outreach & Engagement
The University of Connecticut Office of Outreach & Engagement (O&E). O&E is UConn’s primary resource on matters related to public engagement with the community. Much like the Inner College, O&E faculty will guide students in directing their own off-campus learning activities with a strong focus on community service. These faculty will no
The University of Connecticut Office of Outreach & Engagement (O&E). O&E is UConn’s primary resource on matters related to public engagement with the community. Much like the Inner College, O&E faculty will guide students in directing their own off-campus learning activities with a strong focus on community service. These faculty will nominate candidates for Krimerman funds based on the student's need for funding to implement self-directed learning projects.