On the one hand, it’s good news that the UNC System is finally acknowledging the bloated, bureaucratic mess we taxpayers have been funding for years. Erskine Bowles seems to get it. As this News & Observer story points out, the system will eliminate about 900 positions. On the other hand, the last paragraph of the story contains a curious reference from UNC-Chapel Hill chancellor Holden Thorp. Notice how he characterizes federal money (emphasis is mine):
While conceding that some divisions and departments on his campus have grown too much, he insists that many administrative positions are critical. He points to the $716 million in research grants brought in by UNC-CH scientists last year and the $271 million in private gifts fundraisers elicited.
“We’re trying to minimize, but we do need people to look after all those grants and donations,” he said. “You don’t really want to tell the federal government you aren’t keeping track of their money. And the same for donors.”
No big deal you say? Perhaps. I certainly hope that’s the case. It would be prudent, however, for university leaders to illustrate with their actions – and their language – that they understand where federal money comes from. It results from the work, sweat, and entrepreneurship of “donors” of another kind: American taxpayers.
