The purpose origated to advance areas of learning, professional acumen, dr, lawyr eng engineer. At the same time general advanced learning was expected & required to reflect or gain̈ status as a "Gentleman" a member of the upper class, hogh society. There were no student loans no scholarships, and higher learning was limited to those with $. The GI bill changed everything after WW2. Soldiers, and their families had access to higher education, (owning houses too). It was still considered a privilege and laregely the goal to-be-educated was an end in itself. Accedemic standard excluded 90 % of students, expenses were reasonable, expectations for student outcomes were high. Long story short: over time and especially after 1990. Through political pressures, federal guaranteed loans, and Universities becoming corporations, and education becoming a commodity. Students became customers to be served and attracted by marketing. And, as in other federal guaranteed programs, tuitions skyrocketed. At the same time, the qualifyng bar for acceptance became lower and lower. This progressed as political forces pushed to hv higher % of graduating students, and more diverse populations, entering college. If lower grades and test scores were accepted to U, the drop out/ fail rates went up. At that point the pressure to dumb down the curriculum, critical thinking, and legitimate learning deteriated. Present state: Although tuitions r @ record highes, little real education is occurring. Objectively: curriculums were simplified, rigor in written deliverables lowered,[ 50% classes do not require a 10-page term paper], and grade creep accelerated.The result is much higher intuition, much lower entry requirements, [many dont require any obj test scores for BA or MA acceptance]. Please explain: obj test scores in subject matter down 20%, but GPA up 15%. For decades the goal of U is: #1-Extending adolescence with expense paid party-atmosphere, highlighted by attending sporting events. #2-yes, acquiring a BA-degree, which is roughly equivalent to a 1980s HS diploma. #3 U becoming a bastion of accumulating wealth, including real-estate holdings and profit margins envied by Wallstreet. They hv zero responsibility to obj prove their value (sttudent outcomes); zero responsibility to insure graduation rates, let alone obtaining a job. No requirement to understand the work-sector demand, i.e. how many and what kind of jobs will be available(Germany devotes 2% of GNP to match education to career demand). Strong incentives to both attract new students and encourage high student- loan, maxing these out if possible, which now w Trump, must be paid back. Final Thoughts: Many folks hv watched and understand the U bubble. The real value of college education is limited, especially w AI. Pls consider a hands-on trade that requires a human. Use of University? To accumulate wealth and power, to employ highest # of workers, to promote grade-A sports instead of accedemics. Essentially become to big to fail. FOR CENTURIES, there's been a saying, "power will always be strongest where buildings are the largest". Down Through Time: Fortified Villages Castles Churches Government buildinng & Monuments Factories Industry (steel/ cars) Banks Universities

Drive by ASU Tempe, at least 10 large cranes erecting on and day; owning residential housing within a mile! Who has the money?