This study aimed to examine the institutional and organizational characteristics of Mexican state public universities’ outreach with the surrounding area, by identifying and comparing best practices to design a new model for collaboration with the environment. The central question was: “What are the regulatory foundations for the planning and educational philosophies that underpin the outreach approaches of public universities in Mexico?” In methodological terms, this research was of a qualitative nature, and used institutional documents as its main data. It was a documentary review of regulations, planning documents, educational models, and organizational structure of the nine universities considered. Qualitative evidence was collected through deductive content analysis, on the basis of preconceived theoretical and conceptual precepts that guide the search for and analysis of documentary information.
One key finding was that the regulations of the institutions examined did acknowledge the importance of strengthening ties between the university and the regional surroundings but were ambiguous in their definition of collaborative activities. In most universities, outreach was seen as a support for teaching and research, and its importance was not acknowledged. This is why it is necessary for universities to make promoting economic and social development a substantive function, to be reflected in specific regulations for outreach. Similarly, greater visibility is needed in organizational structures to position outreach within universities’ roles and activities.