Seems to me that universities are spending more and more on administrative staff and less on actual instructors, and yes, spending loads on marketing (hence the added staff). I help out with the "open house" events at our local university (of which I am also a graduate). Anymore, the "open house" opening event consists essentially of several top administrators (sometimes even the university president) appealing to bored college kids to "please, PLEASE, pick us!"

When I applied to college, I hoped to be accepted and felt it an honor when I was. Seems that now, they're accepting anyone and begging them to come here with free t-shirts, glossy literature, golf cart rides around campus, etc...

A 4-year degree anymore is about as valuable as a HD diploma was not too long ago: the bare essential to get your foot in the door if you don't know the right folks.

Weird.

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)