Elite Universities received $45 billion in public funds since 2018

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February 1, 2024

Originally published by Adam Andrzejewski — January 30, 2024

Topline: You might expect that your tax dollars are being used to fund public universities, and that elite, private institutions are able to hold their own with little government support.

That’s not the case. Auditors at OpenTheBooks.com found that 10 of America’s wealthiest colleges have received $45 billion in federal money since 2018. That figure includes $33 billion in contracts and grants and $12 billion in tax breaks.

The list includes the eight schools of the Ivy League, as well as Stanford University and Northwestern University.

Key facts: The 10 universities collectively received more money from the federal government than from undergraduate tuition.

Stanford University benefited the most, taking in $7 billion in taxpayer money. Columbia University was the biggest recipient of direct grants, earning $5 billion.

Because the universities are considered charitable institutions, they pay just a 1.4% tax rate on increases to their endowments, instead of the typical 20% capital gain tax for wealthy individuals. This policy benefited Harvard University and Yale University the most, since their endowments both increased by more than $11 billion between 2018 and 2022.

Some of the grants were used to fund research studies with arguable merit. One Stanford study use almost $2 million to analyze how college students are affected by retail marijuana. Yale used $600,000 to look at the “impacts of mobile technology on work, gender gaps, and norms.”

Background: The $45 billion that the 10 universities received since 2018 is larger than any U.S. public universities’ entire endowment. The University of Texas led public schools with a $43 billion endowment, as of 2021.

Five of the 10 universities included in the OpenTheBooks audit were also among the top 10 in the country at generating private donations in 2018, right before the audit began. So, it’s not as if they were strapped for cash.

Auditors found no significant difference in the amount of federal money doled out to elite institutions between the administrations of Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Many elite institutions have come under fire in recent months, with some top Republicans claiming that the schools are spreading antisemitism. Trump called for an increase in taxes on these universities’ endowments, while presidential candidate and former SC Gov. Nikki Haley said federal funds should stop being dispersed to these schools.

In December, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) introduced a bill that would levy a 35% tax on any college endowments above $10 billion.

Summary: Even with recent controversy, it’s still unknown when or if federal funding to elite, private universities will decrease. It’s hard to ignore the fact that these colleges are at the forefront of both the educational and scientific fields, but the impact on taxpayers also can’t be dismissed.

The #WasteOfTheDay is brought to you by the forensic auditors at OpenTheBooks.com

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This article was originally published by RealClearPolitics and made available via RealClearWire.

Introducing the Romotow T8 RV

By

Alan

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January 27, 2024

And now from our “Wow” files, here’s the Romotow T8.

The Romotow T8 RV is the brainchild of W2, a New Zealand-based architecture and design firm.

See the video:

Though this thing is a definite beauty, I’m not sure if I would ever be able to get it to fit in some of my favorite camping spots here in Montana — I may wish to bring a chainsaw along for just in case that one big tree is in the way … just kidding.

The most striking feature of this RV is its rotating cabin, which can swivel 90 degrees from its shell when parked. Inside the rounded front nose are removable canvas/mesh sidewalls to keep the bugs out.

The rotation is controlled by an automated hydraulic system that makes the process smooth and easy. You don’t need any special skills or tools to operate it, just a hitch to tow it and a button to transform it.

This RV is constructed with a lightweight carbon fiber chassis and composite body for durability and better tow vehicle fuel efficiency. Weighs approximately 7,700 lbs.

It also has power and Off-Grid capability: Equipped with a 395W solar panel and a 200-Ah lithium battery, with options for additional panels, battery capacity, and an inverter.

This unit includes a C-Zone app-controlled electrical system, optional 32-inch 4K smart TVs, an outdoor projector with an 82-inch screen, and a multi-zone Fusion audio system.

Luxury finishes like teak joinery and acrylic countertops are available.

It costs about $260K, which is more than some houses. But according to co-founder Matt Wilkie, the Romotow T8 is well worth the investment.

Underpass on Montana Avenue in Helena?

By

Alan

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January 25, 2024

Saw on the news this morning that the subject of an underpass or overpass at Montana Ave in Helena is being discussed again.

Montana Ave video:

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… from krtv

“First, the tracks are close to the intersection of Montana Avenue, Lyndale Avenue, and Helena Avenue – often referred to as “malfunction junction.”

Knoepke said an overpass or underpass could interfere with that already challenging intersection with regard to Montana Avenue.

Second, an overpass or underpass could cutoff access to the many businesses near the tracks.

Third, Knoepke said the railroad needs to keep running through construction.” – KRTV

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I’ve been through that intersection many many times as I’m pretty sure that most of you have too.

Based on how that intersection looks I’d have to say that the better money would be on the railroad actually building a viaduct over the top of everything.

This way, none of the businesses would be affected and no one would ever have to stop for the train as it passed over.

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KRTV — Montana Railfan

Recommended Indie Films

By

Alan

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January 22, 2024

I haven’t watched commercial television since 2009 (cable television since 2013). I won’t pay money to watch commercials.

What I like the most about Indie films is that the writers and directors all seem to still have some semblance of talent. They seem to hold themselves to a higher standard and present a closer to real life experience in their work.

Here are two Indie films that I’ve seen recently that I thought to share. I looked at some of the other reviews online and I’m afraid to say that NPR especially, got it wrong in it’s interpretation of these films — neither of these films pushed any sort of narrative or ideology in any way.

Both of these Indie films are presented in the setting of a big city, and they both touched base on the realities of life. You can’t put a label on the human condition and both of these films did an excellent job of helping us to understand that.

Detachment

Director Tony Kaye’s (AMERICAN HISTORY X) long-awaited film DETACHMENT stars Academy Award(R) winner Adrien Brody as Henry Barthes, a substitute teacher who conveniently avoids any emotional connections by never staying anywhere long enough to form a bond with either his students or colleagues. A lost soul grappling with a troubled past, Henry finds himself at a public school where an apathetic student body has created a frustrated, burned-out administration. In finding an emotional connection to the students but also to fellow teachers and a runaway teen, he finds that he’s not alone in a life and death struggle to find beauty in a seemingly vicious and loveless world. Kaye has molded a contemporary vision of people who become increasingly distant from others while still feeling the need to connect. DETACHMENT features a stellar ensemble cast, including Academy Award(R) winner Marcia Gay Harden, Christina Hendricks, William Petersen, Bryan Cranston, Tim Blake Nelson, Lucy Liu, Blythe Danner, Academy Award(R) nominees James Caan, and newcomers Sami Gayle and Betty Kaye.

It’s an excellent view:

The Visitor

Walter Vale is a widowed Connecticut College economics professor who lives a fairly solitary existence. He fills his days by sometimes taking piano lessons in an effort to emulate his late wife, a classical concert pianist, and infrequently works on a new book. When he is asked to present a paper at an academic conference at New York University, he is not enthusiastic to make the trip, given he is only the nominal co-author and has never even read the complete work. Charles, his department head, insists and Walter is forced to attend.

When he arrives in his old apartment in Manhattan, Walter is startled to find a young unmarried couple living there, having rented it from a swindler who claimed it was his. Tarek is an immigrant from Syria, a Palestinian-Syrian djembe player, and Zainab is a Senegalese designer of ethnic jewelry. He later discovers both are illegal immigrants. Although they have no place to go, they hastily pack and leave, but Walter decides to let them stay.

Cast: Dania Gurira, Haaz Slieman, Richard Jenkins, Hiam Abbass, and Marian Seldes

You can watch both of these independent films for free over on Tubi.

Ancient Lights

By

Alan

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January 22, 2024

‘Ancient Lights’ is an English property law giving house owners the right to receive natural light through a window – if that particular window has been receiving light uninterrupted for 20 years.

Once a window wins the right to ancient lights, adjoining land owners cannot obscure them by erecting a building, raising a wall, planting trees, etc.

In England, the rights to ancient lights are most usually acquired under the Prescription Act 1832.

In American common law the doctrine died out during the 19th century, and is generally no longer recognized in the United States.

Japanese law provides for a comparable concept known as nisshōken (literally “right to sunshine”).

In our modern times we can still find what one might consider a hybrid concept of the Ancient Lights rule.

For instance:

In 1984, voters in San Francisco passed Proposition K, which prevents construction of any building over 40 feet that casts a shadow on a public park, unless the Planning Commission decides the shadow is insignificant.

Massachusetts has similar laws against the casting of shadows on Boston Common, the Public Garden, and other important public open spaces.

Also:

In 2016, the Eneref Institute launched the Right To Daylight campaign to promote the idea that daylight is a natural right.

Cookies and Cowpies – Great Falls, Montana

Elite Universities received $45 billion in public funds since 2018

Introducing the Romotow T8 RV

See the video:

Underpass on Montana Avenue in Helena?

Montana Ave video:

Recommended Indie Films

Detachment

The Visitor

Ancient Lights