RegistrarismRegistrarial comment and observations

· by Paul Greatrix

US overspends on universities?

Amusing snippet in the Chronicle

Economist Says U.S. Spends Too Much on Higher Education

A paper released today by Richard K. Vedder, a professor of economics at Ohio University…says that most incremental appropriations to higher education lead to higher spending rather than lower tuition, and new funds often go to non-instructional purposes, such as administrative salaries, student services, fancy recreation facilities, intercollegiate athletics, and research.

Even richer pickings in the paper itself:

What might be some useful reforms? Emulate competitive market practices by increasing incentives for college decision-makers to reduce costs, for example by giving bonuses for cost savings. Tie presidential compensation to indicators both of qualitative improvements and tuition cost restraints. Numerous potential cost-savings come to mind. The central administration should rent buildings to departments to encourage more efficiency, including year-round use. Slash administrative staffs. Increase teaching loads. Eliminate low enrollment and costly graduate programs. Get out of non-instructional businesses like housing,food,and building maintenance.

And so on. Entertaining stuff. But, if the administration has been slashed who is going to rent out the buildings?

Originally published on wonkhe.com at /blogs/us-overspends-on-universities/.

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