<p>Interestdad, your cynicism is funny but it is somewhat misplaced.</p>
<p>A relative of mine is a retiree from a major university. One of the changes announced was a “rebalancing” of retirement benefits. So this person is now paying more out of pocket, the prescription drug benefit was cut significantly, all the “bells and whistles” are now pay as you go, vs. free. Savings to the university- substantial. Impact on students- zero. Retirees don’t teach, don’t clean classrooms, don’t staff health centers, don’t serve mashed potatoes in the cafeteria.</p>
<p>I don’t know why you feel that Chancellors are being duplicitous. It’s absolutely true that some universities are better positioned than others. Some universities have maintained their bond ratings and are going ahead with planned construction, others have put all capital projects on hold. Some have increased enrollment and have students in triples and quads and others have managed to hold the line on the size of the student body.</p>
<p>And despite the gloom and doom, the military/industrial complex is still awarding billions of dollars in research grants; big pharma still relies significantly on academia; the stimulus money is starting to show up in some strange places on college campuses.</p>
<p>So don’t be so quick to be snarky here.</p>