Yep, ND has a lot of money in the bank.
The Dome is GOLDEN people. It's a GOLDEN DOME. And you're surprised ND has money? Really????
The school reached its Spirit Campaign fundraising goal well ahead of schedule, hitting the $1.5B+ mark ~2 years early. That is madness. And a testament to the solid fundraising skills of the University, and to the generosity of its supporters.
Best part of the article? The folks that point to this as a negative in the comments. It's awesomely moronic. These same folks drop a $20 in the basket of their local Church on Sundays, and then rail against ND for getting a BAJILLION $20's. Makes sense, yep.
My only beef is the following: The A-#1 priority for this campaign was student financial aid. That's great, and I like that idea. I was helped out a ton (though not enough) while at ND through need-based FIN AID, and I appreciated that as well. But hey, here's an idea - rather than increasing tuition X% per year and then raising money and giving it away as Aid to offset that increase, how about, um, NOT RAISING TUITION?
Yeah, I know, that could NEVER work.
By BJDomer June 23, 2009 - 6:49 pm
I hope I get some of that money. My organ selling campaign isn’t going as well as I hoped it would.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By Sam June 23, 2009 - 8:11 pm
I think the thinking is that those who have the means can pay the exorbitant tuition rates, while those who need help can get a break by way of tuition. If they lowered tuition rates across the board as you suggest, then everyone would get the same break, even the wealthy. At least this way, the school can make a few extra bucks on the backs of those who can afford it.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By domer.mq June 23, 2009 - 8:27 pm
Sam,
I think I agree with you on that theory, but in practice, it just means I’m paying a metric ton in loans even today, and I graduated in 2000.
Can’t wait until Sallie Mae sends me a golden watch for my 10 anniversary as a “customer.”
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By trey June 23, 2009 - 10:47 pm
Not to sound too political, but Sam, that’s the exact same screwy logic that Washington bureaucrats are using today. Why should we punish wealthy just because their wealthy? Why shouldn’t everyone get a little break and be nice and fair?
BJ…the trick is, sell someone ELSE’S organs, not your own. Hearts and brains fetch a handsome dollar, if you get my drift.
Biscuit, what ever happened to the “Until ND gets their head out of their ass about tailgate drinking, I’ll never donate again?”
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By brendan June 24, 2009 - 7:41 am
Of course, the obvious answer to your question is that if ND cuts tuition costs it’s no net gain in money. If they raise tuition costs and then raise money to cover it all that money comes into the university and stays there to “pay” tuition costs of other students. It has the added benefit of currying favor with a whole bunch of students who get aid and will be potential donors down the road.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By The Biscuit June 24, 2009 - 11:55 am
trey, i had to donate to get my tix. last year i didnt, and trying to get tix outside of the lottery was really annoying. but i was SURE to donate the minimum. ha.
brendan, i don’t know. i mean, i got financial aid bc of ‘need’ and i’m still buried in my ND debt. like DomerMQ, i’ll be paying that off for another 10-15 years.
i understand the economics of it all, and of course they’re going to ask, but i struggle with the University asking alums/donors for more money for aid when tuition just keeps going up and up and up…
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By BJDomer June 24, 2009 - 2:31 pm
Just wondering, what are the odds on the alumni season ticket lottery like?
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By san diego irish June 24, 2009 - 2:42 pm
Trey–I’m no biblical scholar, but I seem to remember a sermon or two about helping those who are less fortunate. That teaching might be something ND wants to follow when it comes to making a Catholic higher education possible for those of limited means.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By brendan June 24, 2009 - 3:06 pm
Biscuit,
I don’t know how much that works, either. But you can see how from the University’s standpoint it’s a better option than freezing tuition costs. Maybe there are students for whom the cost would have been prohibitive, but not it just relegates them to a whole lot of debt but still being able to attend. I don’t know.
Interestingly, there was an article in Forbes last year about how when schools raise tuition their number of applications goes UP and the reason, according to Forbes, is that it’s like buying brand name clothes, people want the prestige of an outrageously expensive education. George Washington University raised their tuition from 30K to 50K and their applications soared. Strange but true.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By Matt '09 June 24, 2009 - 5:21 pm
I seem to remember reading that, in spite of the huge tuition numbers, student tuition only pays for 31% of the university’s operating budget. Perhaps I’m mistaken…
Look on the bright side, trey: At least when ND uses a progressive tuition scale, you get the sense that the decision is grounded in a solid moral framework. The same can’t be said for progressive taxes to our government, where fighting for votes beats out solid moral framework 99 times out of 100.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By The Biscuit June 24, 2009 - 5:26 pm
Matt, you’re right. On average, tuition only covers 20-40% of a student’s education. But that also includes allocations for all kinds of things not directly related to that student (fixed/administrative costs, lawsuit defense at a place like USC, etc).
BJ, if you apply for all games in a year, you’re almost guaranteed at least 2 tix to a single game, and you’ll more often than not get more than that. but you’re also much more likely to get Navy than USC.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By domer.mq June 24, 2009 - 9:15 pm
trey, I think I was the only one who swore off donating, and I’ve done just that. You shall know me by the number of calls I still receive each week from students at ND begging for money.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By Bad Kermit June 25, 2009 - 1:33 am
I swore off donating, too.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By trey June 25, 2009 - 8:22 pm
san diego irish, Im not either, but I thought I read that the sacrifice was supposed to be a personal decision, not that it was TAKEN from you.
Domer, kermit, way to go brothers, you stay with it!
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By san diego irish June 25, 2009 - 11:49 pm
It is a personal decision. If you don’t want to pay the exorbitant tuition, go to community college, or skip school altogether, and get a job. If on the other hand you feel guided by the holy spirit you can pay full boat, score some points with Yahweh, and help some less fortunate soul receive a first rate Catholic education of the mind and spirit.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0