Universities Are Becoming Billion-Dollar Hedge Funds With Schools Attached

Universities Are Becoming Billion-Dollar Hedge Funds With Schools Attached

3/23/2016

link

https://www.thenation.com/article/universities-are-becoming-billion-dollar-hedge-funds-with-schools-attached/

summary

This article discusses the trend of universities increasingly behaving like billion-dollar hedge funds. It highlights how universities in the United States have been investing significant portions of their endowment funds in financial markets instead of primarily using them to support their academic missions. The article argues that this shift in investment strategy has negative consequences for higher education, as it prioritizes generating returns over providing quality education and supporting students. It also raises concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability in how universities manage and invest their funds. The article calls for greater oversight and regulation to ensure that universities prioritize their educational mission rather than becoming primarily focused on financial gains.

tags

universities ꞏ higher education ꞏ hedge funds ꞏ finance ꞏ education system ꞏ investment ꞏ endowment ꞏ college funds ꞏ financial management ꞏ financialization ꞏ profit motive ꞏ capitalism ꞏ neoliberalism ꞏ education financing ꞏ student debt ꞏ tuition fees ꞏ academic institutions ꞏ financial industry ꞏ wealth accumulation ꞏ privatization ꞏ education reform ꞏ economic inequality ꞏ college affordability ꞏ financial speculation ꞏ university governance ꞏ institutional priorities ꞏ marketization ꞏ education market ꞏ public universities ꞏ private universities ꞏ university administration ꞏ corporate influence ꞏ commercialization ꞏ university resources ꞏ university assets ꞏ financial resources ꞏ education funding ꞏ student loans ꞏ social impact ꞏ social justice ꞏ educational policies ꞏ education economics ꞏ financial sustainability ꞏ education crisis ꞏ education priorities