Universities Are Becoming Hedge Funds with Schools Attached (2016)

I always thought that universities being economically powerful could be an advantage so they could be another pillar of civilization, less beholden to corporate or government influence. I do wonder if they are using that power well recently though.

I recently ended up in an interesting conversation with a university faculty member where we found that many of the most endowed universities could essentially make undergraduate education free and make back the difference (and often more) on straight interest accumulated from leaving their money in a bank.<p>Given that they are probably making <i>more</i> than the current interest rates by investing, I wonder why students still pay so much for tuition at these universities in particular.

Not my school! My school is a Real Estate company with a School attached.

Discussed at the time: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;news.ycombinator.com&#x2F;item?id=11331409" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;news.ycombinator.com&#x2F;item?id=11331409</a>

Did the tax bill move forward with the tax aimed at these endowments? I remember hearing about it early on, but have no idea if it made it through.

Wouldn&#x27;t be surprised if a few have dabbled in cryptocurrencies in arms length relationship with investment partners while governments blame the technology for lawlessness. That&#x27;s often how these things work.