The University is tasked with educating its students, but also has a broader mission of conducting research, discovering truth and disseminating information to benefit the society in general. University Presses have and continue to be a tool for sharing information, Technology is now providing additional opportunities through institutional repositories (Penn State's newly established Scholarsphere is an example), electronic Theses and Dissertations databases, and digital collections are created individually and collectively with other institutions. The HathiTrust is an example of a massive and historic endeavor.
Foundations and government funding agencies are also requiring the results of research to be made available to the public, and demanding that publications stemming from funded research be available for access within a defined period of time, typically 6 - 12 months after publication. In the case of NIH-funded research, the requirement is law and non-negotiable; compliance also affects future funding eligibility. Be looking out for additional U.S. Government agencies that may institute similar requirements in the future.