Vedder in Forbes | Why Are Universities In The Housing Business?

Dr. Richard Vedder

Dr. Richard Vedder, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Economics at Ohio University, authored an article at Forbes headlined “Why Are Universities In The Housing Business?”

Universities exist primarily to expand and disseminate knowledge, ideas, and artistic works. In most international universities, if a prospective student asked, “What does a university dormitory room cost?” the admissions staff would look puzzled, saying, “We don’t provide housing for our students.” Not in the U.S. In fact, many American universities require most students to live for at least a year or two in housing owned and typically operated by the institution. To a considerable extent, universities act like monopolists requiring customers wanting their primary service, instruction, to buy another one of their services, campus housing (and usually food as well).

Why? There are two competing explanations….

Read the rest of his column in Forbes.