<p>I don’t think that’s true. It’s the lack of “affordable” housing that causes students to choose to live as far west as Normandie. </p>
<p>Won’t matter how much housing USC builds if a student wants to pay $500 /mo. on rent.</p>
<p>As to refuting your points, the premise that a university with a higher operating budget is in a better financial position is faulty. During the recession, USC implemented a hiring freeze whereas UCLA imposed furloughs. And it’s UCLA that’s putting assets on the market (Hannah Carter Japanese Garden) in order to raise funds. UCLA has more employees than students, and salaries and benefits make up more than half of its operating budget.</p>
<p>You’ve look at the financials, but you missed the forest for the trees.</p>