I don't see how this counters the two points above, other that pointing out it is not RU specific.
OT: RU Endowment Size Increases To $1.33B
- Thread starter bigmatt718
- Start date
Agreed. I can say first hand that an even larger university campus such as UT-Austin also left a lot to be desired in terms of customer service, so thankfully Rutgers had trained me well with low expectations of state employees. School spirit and other positive vibes only go so far. Just like any large, bureaucratic organization they definitely struggle (perhaps not quite as much as Rutgers) to get alumni donations relative to the scale of their enrollment and massive alumni base.
Meanwhile, the UT system's (as well as the A&M system's) large endowment is heavily due to the Permanent University Fund that consists of vast land assets out in West Texas, i.e. oil reserves.
Public university administrations and faculty have not adjusted to the idea that students are customers, not draftees. And public university students are not used to the idea that they should contribute as alumni. It will be a lengthy process for both of these to change. It has been easier for the smaller components of a university (say the business school or law school) to change than the university as a whole.
The shortage of state money at many schools -- the very reason donations are needed -- also contributes to rigid administration and shortages of necessary courses, so there is something of a vicious cycle at work; students are unhappy so they don't contribute in later years.
The shortage of state money at many schools -- the very reason donations are needed -- also contributes to rigid administration and shortages of necessary courses, so there is something of a vicious cycle at work; students are unhappy so they don't contribute in later years.
Not refuting your two points at all. Agree with them fully as a matter of fact. Just feeling there’s still more to it...additional factors which I can’t quite put a finger on.
I was thinking the same thing. Also Richmond at 40 was a bit surprising.
Not that there necessarily has to be any correlation to endowment size but it costs a small fortune to attend U of Richmond (private). VCU on the other hand (also located in Richmond) is public.
The higher the cost, the richer the parents who send their kids there. The richer the parents, the more money they can give. That's why Ivy League schools use family wealth as a factor in admission.
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anon_ivydyf0amkzay
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Not true...A&M has a bigger endowment than Vandy and Florida COMBINED...you really should do some super basic review of the link next time...
Yeah, still think of A&M as a B12 school. But regardless, there’s a lot of SEC schools that are lagging.
Most SEC schools are public institutions, and so have similar problems to Rutgers in raising money. And everyone should remember that institutions generally treat endowments like 401(k) plans; profits are automatically reinvested rather than withdrawn. So there is really no relevance of the endowments to athletics. Perhaps, then, this thread should die.
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anon_ivydyf0amkzay
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Why, it’s not like I called you a Longhorn or anything.
Yes. Good for the school, but it means little for athletics. To clarify what I said previously though...most SEC schools lag behind Rutgers in terms of endowment. Let that puppy sink in.
Just remember that all hell broke loose the last time RU dropped some varsity sports. Before we do that, everything should be done to get the various sports endowed, at least partially.
