How large public universities model their funding

Legal and political constraints keep academic, athletic, and other budgets largely separate.

University of Michigan students walk on campus. (Photo by Bill Pugliano)

In yesterday’s post, “American higher education is adrift,” Matt proposed a reconsideration of the mission and goals of higher ed in this country, alongside a recalibration of the sector’s spending. He put it this way: “The University of Alabama lazy river and water slide seem fun, …