State University Budget Cuts and How They Affect Students - Frank Donohue, Chronicle of Higher Ed

Why does it seem to be so difficult for universities (and I’m by no means restricting this question to the University of Washington) to be consistent and transparent when it comes to characterizing their institutions’ financial situations? That’s my main question. Secondly, I think it’s misleading to talk about reductions in state support independently of increases in tuition, because they’re both part of the same general inclination to privatize, and thus ultimately to corporatize public higher education. Some might argue, as Richard Vedder has done, that this would be a step in the right direction. But those of us who study higher education should find it easier to know how this is happening and at what pace.