[ashooner]

The typical comparison of college to today to that from 20 or 30 years ago is just poorly considered. "Where does the money go?" Consider the things that didn't exist at many colleges 30 years ago:

- IT

- Any type of student welfare services.

- Title IX and any other regulatory offices.

- Diversity offices and other efforts.

- Disability services.

- Dedicated police departments.

- Advising, Counseling, and Academic support (because more and lower-qualified students than ever are going to college).

- In the case of state schools, typically significant budget cuts from the state.

I'm not saying these rationally explain the increase in cost, but it's a significant expansion in responsibility and functionality that brought with it administration and bureaucracy.

[toasterlovin]

In theory, at least, IT should represent cost savings.

[ashooner]

I can't see how having to support the network infra for 25k students' Netflix addiction is possibly a cost savings.

[toasterlovin]

IT is more than internet connections. It's also, for instance, reducing your need for employees by having class registration done entirely online.

[ashooner]

I definitely see the potential for cost savings in some areas, but there are whole sectors of technology activity in a contemporary university that aren't offsetting some pre-digital expense; they're just a reflection of the increased technical cost of instruction and lifestyle.

[toasterlovin]

Yeah, but the cost of manipulating and transporting information approaches zero over time.