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    mattplAdrian Chen
    5/08/13 12:37pm

    Who is supposed to pay for this “free” tuition?

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      KinglyCitrusmattpl
      5/08/13 12:41pm

      Presumably, you know, the people who have paid for it for the last 154 years?

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      SHSC82mattpl
      5/08/13 12:42pm

      I imagine former students probably contribute.

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    The_Recession_is_OverAdrian Chen
    5/08/13 12:47pm

    From my understanding, one of Cooper Union's largest sources of new (non-foundation funds) is donations from alum who have gotten a free education then moved on to successful careers. It stands to reason that after they start to charge tuition, those alum would see cause to stop a great deal of those donations. Isn't that likely to have a far more dramatic effect on the budget?

    I'm not sure where they would find funds to be honest with you ... may have to do something as dramatic as selling off some of their non-revenue generating property. But it seems like a better move than changing the one thing you are most well known for.

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      jusinekThe_Recession_is_Over
      5/08/13 12:53pm

      I seriously doubt the average student goes on to donate anywhere near the cost of a NYC private art school tuition. (Even averaged out with a few mega rich outliers who can throw millions in.)

      It is not surprising Cooper Union is having money trouble, they just spend the last 6 years or so renovating and building.

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      The_Recession_is_Overjusinek
      5/08/13 1:34pm

      I'm basically talking out of my butt by saying this ... so I'll just preface my comments that way ... but I would suspect that when students are successful coming out of Cooper Union, they could become very generous to their school. I could easily see people treating giving to the school like tithings, repaying for a successful career. That's a relationship you aren't going to have with alum who spent 15 years paying off student loans after leaving campus. Coincidentally, up until the last several years, architecture was pretty much a guaranteed successful career.

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    fstop4Adrian Chen
    5/08/13 1:03pm

    I don't care what Cooper Union's original mission is, or how charging tuition may deviate from that plan, this is fucking entitled.

    If you don't like that your previously free school is going to charge tuition, then you are free to attend another school where you most certainly will be paying tuition, either out of your own pocket or through scholarship programs.

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      adsfsadfasdfadsfadffsdfstop4
      5/08/13 1:40pm

      Yeah, except the protesters already have guaranteed free tuition. They're protesting on behalf of other people, which is the exact opposite of entitled.

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      CaiteeCruellefstop4
      5/08/13 1:42pm

      "I don't get free stuff then NOBODY gets it, understand??? NOBODY!! I don't care WHO told you this education was free, I SAY YOU CAN'T HAVE IT."

      Way to be a winner, asshole.

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    YoureNotMySupervisorAdrian Chen
    5/08/13 12:44pm

    Watching the livestream it makes me cringe watching people in their 20's read at a 7th grade level.

    Also, why does everyone, regardless of gender, fucking uptalk every sentence? Jesus!

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      EddardAdrian Chen
      5/08/13 12:34pm

      I'm looking forward to the reasonable yet interesting conversation down here in the comment section.

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        KinglyCitrusEddard
        5/08/13 12:43pm

        Yeah, I anticipate a lively, respectful discussion with no trolls and minimal talking points. Sounds reasonable, eh?

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      YoureMySisterAdrian Chen
      5/08/13 1:03pm

      I had only heard of this place when Gawker wrote about it a few days ago.

      I'm absolutely shocked that there is such a thing as a college that doesn't charge tuition. How does it sustain itself? Are its employees all just dedicated volunteers? How does it pay its power bills? I work in a college and I can tell you: our bills can be outrageous. How does it pay for technology? For library resources?

      Seriously, how was this ever possible? OF COURSE they have a multi-million dollar deficit!

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        EddardYoureMySister
        5/08/13 1:08pm

        Cooper Union is a very prestigious university in New York City. Students who went to Cooper Union were given a free education, and then were expected to support the university after they graduate. The university is supported by its very large endowment, and yes, they were always able to pay their electric bills.

        The administration gambled on a shitty real estate deal during the financial meltdown, and that is primary cause of their deficit. Their endowment also took a hit.

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        YoureMySisterEddard
        5/08/13 1:16pm

        That makes sense. After I asked the question I did a little googling as well.

        It's too bad they're stuck in this situation. Hopefully they can work out an alternative, but it sounds like they're out of options :-/

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      effdotAdrian Chen
      5/08/13 12:54pm

      It boils down to the $175 million MetLife loan to construct 41 Cooper Union. The project coincided with the financial meltdown (2006-2009).

      Was 41 Cooper Union worth ending free tuition? I think that's the big, unasked question at this moment.

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        justacooperfaneffdot
        5/08/13 1:04pm

        EXACTLY!!!!

        Sacrificing the mission of the institution instead of just building a functional building is disgusting.

        Who pays for the mistakes of the administration? The students and the legacy of the institution.

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        CooperStudenteffdot
        5/08/13 3:19pm

        To the top with you.

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      zegeAdrian Chen
      5/08/13 12:54pm

      I applaud the effort of these students, faculty, and staff to try and force the school to honor their age-old tradition, but facing a large deficit like it is, how else is the school expected to remain open? The sad truth is that a college education today is an enormous cost, both for the students and smaller colleges like Cooper Union. SOMEBODY has to pay somehow.

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        YoureMySisterzege
        5/08/13 1:13pm

        I'm thinking along the same lines as you. It sounds like it was a beautiful thing while it lasted, but the model it existed on is no longer working.

        I don't know the details, but the impression I get is that their administration's decision to start charging tuition was a "last resort" for them. I can only assume that they weighed ALL of their options.

        Sometimes there's just nothing you can do.

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        Sarah Jzege
        5/08/13 1:49pm

        Agreed. I guess it sucks, but what else is the school supposed to do? Close?

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      ZestyPiquanteAdrian Chen
      5/08/13 12:53pm

      It's always heartwarming to see how many people would rather see an organization they use or depend on shut down, rather than make a contribution to help it stay alive.

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        VeryWellAdrian Chen
        5/08/13 12:56pm

        Cooper Union: Too Beautiful To Live.

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