I am deeply in support of the expansion of university resources and the long-term sustainability of higher education. I am not convinced, however, that tying up billions of dollars in private capital is the best way to fulfill WashU’s obligations as an educational institution.

Student Union Treasury heard appeals from five student groups, which were collectively requesting $51,766.23. SU Treasury decided to fund for a total of $51,474.34, bringing the semester total to $183,892.55, on Oct. 24.

More than 275 students, the largest number to date, were recognized at the December graduation ceremony Saturday afternoon in front of a packed Graham Chapel while friends and family watched live broadcasts of the ceremony in classrooms across campus.

As the Washington University community begins 2010, we have decided to once again submit our list of expectations for the new year. These are a combination of coming events that we think it important to highlight, general trends we wish to commend or decry and a prospective list of some of the issues we think should command the Wash. U. community’s attention over the upcoming semester.

Despite the improving national economy, Chancellor Mark Wrighton reported earlier this September that as of June 30, 2009, the market value of Washington University’s endowment, about $4.2 billion, is down by 30 percent from its peak value two years ago, and the University anticipates an annual deficit of $30 million through fiscal 2011 and beyond.