Spring Break
A hefty investment, research Superclusters draw visibility, critics
Research brings negligible returns
Aaron Hedge and J. David McSwane
Issue date: 9/23/08 Section: News
"When we invest in technology transfer, if your only point is to make money, you're doomed," Frank said.
As to the effectiveness of programs like Superclusters, Jim Hearn, a higher education finance expert with the Institute of Higher Education in Georgia, said it's a gamble, adding that universities typically sell off start-up companies instead of "enduring a long wait for profitability."
"It is difficult to profit from these kinds of investments," he said.
"… For every great success, there appear to be corresponding stories of disappointment. There are no guarantees in that business."
John Straayer, a CSU political science professor, said that while research spending has its benefits, "It can't do a whole lot for the instructional side … even if you bring in research dollars in the train loads."
"Basically what you're doing is using students' money as venture capital," Straayer said.
"For millions of years, the market has pushed good ideas to the market. Why are you spending millions of dollars of students' money?"
Frank, who researched and introduced the Superclusters concept to the president, admits the research being conducted under the Superclusters model isn't dissimilar from lofty research projects that were already being conducted at CSU.
But the branded models, he said, help bring in grants for those specific research areas.
"We tried to put our bets on areas that not only benefit (CSU), but also bring a return to the university -- those with the greatest chance of being profitable," he said, adding that a majority of the university's general fund investment is a reflection of grant-matching contracts with research financiers.
But Straayer is critical of the Superclusters concept, saying the research already existed and that the concepts are just "very expensive public relations."
Research dollars, whether they fall under Superclusters or not, are a benefit for students and faculty working on the project, Frank said.
And peripherally, the rising research expenditures increase the school's visibility, he said.
Adding that the focus on research can "ultimately be a losing game for some institutions," Hearn, the finance expert from the Institute of Higher Education, echoed a similar statement.
"Done right, research work on campuses does benefit students," he said.
"Faculty learn more to inform their teaching, students become involved in the research process, revenues are used to provide superior learning experiences in labs, etc."
News Managing Editor Aaron Hedge and Enterprise Editor J. David McSwane can be reached at tips@collegian.com.
As to the effectiveness of programs like Superclusters, Jim Hearn, a higher education finance expert with the Institute of Higher Education in Georgia, said it's a gamble, adding that universities typically sell off start-up companies instead of "enduring a long wait for profitability."
"It is difficult to profit from these kinds of investments," he said.
"… For every great success, there appear to be corresponding stories of disappointment. There are no guarantees in that business."
John Straayer, a CSU political science professor, said that while research spending has its benefits, "It can't do a whole lot for the instructional side … even if you bring in research dollars in the train loads."
"Basically what you're doing is using students' money as venture capital," Straayer said.
"For millions of years, the market has pushed good ideas to the market. Why are you spending millions of dollars of students' money?"
Frank, who researched and introduced the Superclusters concept to the president, admits the research being conducted under the Superclusters model isn't dissimilar from lofty research projects that were already being conducted at CSU.
But the branded models, he said, help bring in grants for those specific research areas.
"We tried to put our bets on areas that not only benefit (CSU), but also bring a return to the university -- those with the greatest chance of being profitable," he said, adding that a majority of the university's general fund investment is a reflection of grant-matching contracts with research financiers.
But Straayer is critical of the Superclusters concept, saying the research already existed and that the concepts are just "very expensive public relations."
Research dollars, whether they fall under Superclusters or not, are a benefit for students and faculty working on the project, Frank said.
And peripherally, the rising research expenditures increase the school's visibility, he said.
Adding that the focus on research can "ultimately be a losing game for some institutions," Hearn, the finance expert from the Institute of Higher Education, echoed a similar statement.
"Done right, research work on campuses does benefit students," he said.
"Faculty learn more to inform their teaching, students become involved in the research process, revenues are used to provide superior learning experiences in labs, etc."
News Managing Editor Aaron Hedge and Enterprise Editor J. David McSwane can be reached at tips@collegian.com.
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