[iamerroragent]

"That pays for facilities and education programs and funding the department itself."

Buildings, rooms costs rent from each department.

Departments have expenses. Salaries to pay. Equipment to upgrade. Sometimes costs go over or researchers suddenly leave for whatever reason. The department they worked in is holding the bag on that.

Literally all that .57 or whatever part of every of every dollar you bring is going to the university to do with it how they like it. You're always working to make someone else more; that's why they hired you.

Now why is it going through the same people all the time (like grant management I presume?), Because grants have limited amount of money and people that fund research like to know the money was spent the way it was supposed to and the university itself likes to know all the money its researchers are bringing in and avoid conflicts of interest.

Edit: I also forgot to include, don't forget that like part of your pay you don't directly see, it's a about a third more, which goes to your benefits.