Bill would restrict public access to some 'U' info

A bill pending in the Minnesota Legislature would restrict public access to some financial decisions regarding the University of Minnesota's public endowment.

[Disgusted]

"If the bill becomes law, the endowment could see increases between $30 million and $40 million per year because some of the venture capital groups denying the university produce up to a 30 percent return on investments each year, Mason said. "

If ir aounds to good to be true, it is!!! Wouldn't we all like a return of 30 percent on our investment. This is a public institution, everything associated with it should remain public including it's investments.

[Its time]

Time for a "special" tax on the "U" to help pay for that stadium the tax payers had to pay for. We (the tax payers) want a 30% return on OUR investment as well!

[human too]

"Disgusted," you are completely correct. The higher the potential rate of return, the greater the risk. The U of M could invest, say,$10 million with BlarneyStone Financial Group, hoping to get $13 million back, but they could also end up losing it all.

The U of M is a public institution investing public (that is, your) money. As it is, once your money is given to them, they can invest it without your approval, but now it seems they want to invest it without your knowledge.(Yes, I know this idea is being proposed by the Legislature, but I hardly think they dreamed this up on their own.)

Another thought-- perhaps what has them nervous is the potential backlash if the masses decide the U is heavily invested with firms and agencies that aren't "progressive" or "green" enough? Could it be they recognize that if they have to try too hard to walk the PC tightrope, it really will hurt them financially? Just a thought ...