In an economic downturn, even Stanford University's fundraisers have to cut back - Lisa M. Krieger, Mercury News

Faced with the need to make significant cutbacks, Stanford University hasn't quite killed the goose that lays its golden eggs. But the precious creature — the university's fundraising office, the most successful collegiate moneymaker in the nation — is suffering through painful surgery. Stanford's Office of Development has cut the equivalent of nearly 20 percent of its staff. It is also scaling back on events, reducing travel and shifting publications from print to online.