Investing in Education and Research

Alright, buckle up, because we’re diving into the curious case of public spending on higher education—through the eyes of none other than Mark Schlissel, that University of Michigan prez who’s been playing the ultimate hype man for investing in education and research. No, this isn’t just another kumbaya moment about “education is good, kids.” It’s about cold, hard cash and why the feds and states need to keep funneling it into universities—or risk watching America slip behind in the global rat race.

So, why do I call this the spending mystery? Because while everyone loves to gripe about tuition hikes and university bloating, Schlissel flips the script: he’s saying, “Dude, investing in public universities isn’t a charity case—it’s the smartest economic move we’ve got.” Sorta like dumping quarters into a vending machine that spits out breakthroughs in medicine, tech, and future job security.

The Investment Hustle: Why Education and Research Pay Off

Schlissel’s playbook is pretty no-nonsense. He’s not just waving dreamcatchers about apocalypse-level theories. Instead, he presses hard on two main economic truths: innovation sprouts from research funding, and a skilled workforce is born out of accessible, quality education.

Look at the University of Michigan’s endowment jump—40.6% in one year. That’s the kind of return that would make any Wall Street trader jealous. But here’s Schlissel’s twist: that cash isn’t about lining the university’s pockets with gold, but funneling it right back into making student life better, boosting education quality, and—crucially—powering more research. Because research, my friends, is the jackpot where economic growth, national security, and health breakthroughs all intersect.

And when budget ax-wielders start talking cuts? Schlissel isn’t having it. Those “severe consequences” he warns about? They’re not just academic doom-saying; a cutback means fewer discoveries, slower innovation, and America trailing China, Europe, or whoever else is ready to grab the global lead.

Tackling Real Problems with University Muscle

What sets Schlissel apart isn’t just his boardroom economic spiel. He’s been front and center for initiatives that scream “real world problems, meet university brainpower.” Case in point: the poverty initiative launched in 2016. This isn’t some academic echo chamber stuff. It’s research bent on boosting economic opportunity, pushing educational access, and improving health outcomes—basic ingredients for pulling whole communities up by their bootstraps.

Plus, take a look at that $300 million Detroit Center for Innovation. Here, the university teams up with private sector big shots—Bedrock, Stephen Ross, you name it—to create a hub where ideas turn into jobs and urban revival isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a legit recipe for economic dynamite. Schlissel’s vision makes the university not just a place of learning but a gritty, real-deal engine for urban change.

The Crunch: Pressures Mount, But the Case for Funding Won’t Fade

Now, we can’t ignore the squeeze public universities face. Declining state support, COVID-19 fallout, and fiscal tightening have been the unwelcomed guests at the funding party. Schlissel’s been in the trenches, testifying to budget committees, elbow-deep in state politics, painting the big, bold picture: cutbacks today equal a pay-off crisis tomorrow.

His mantra? Public universities fuel economic growth, churn out the skilled workers we need, and fire up innovation engines. So, skimping on them is like trying to fix a leaky boat with duct tape—it won’t hold, and the whole thing sinks eventually.

Final Thoughts From the Mall Mole’s Detective Desk

Here’s the twist in the tale: investing in public education and research isn’t just some idealistic pipe dream—it’s the capitalist smart move everyone wants but few are willing to pay for. Schlissel’s message cuts through the noise: keep the money flowing, or face an America scrambling for scraps on the global stage, while other countries lap us in innovation and economic muscle.

So next time someone grumbles about tuition or state funding, remember the bigger picture: these investments power discoveries that could save your life, create your future job, and keep the good ol’ U.S. of A relevant on the world map. Schlissel’s hustle isn’t just university blues; it’s a call to keep America’s engine running strong—and smart.