June 28, 2002

What I'd Do With a Billion Dollars

In today's recessionary times, economics increasingly drive the decisions made by college presidents. Most of them must struggle with budget cuts and retrenchment, and have to make difficult trade-offs every day. But what if money were no longer an issue for a college or university? What if it received a $1-billion gift, no strings attached?

We asked eight current or former chief executives how they would spend the money (with the caveat that it could not be used for the endowment).