In a message dated 9/8/02 6:43:20 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< Why limit who can give to a charity to who can run in a race, and why limit who can run in a race to who is willing to give to a charity? >> Perhaps part of the reason is that this may be one of the last charitable activities that universities do not sponsor as a source of funds. It appears that universities can raise funds using every institutional arrangement in the economy. Public universities raise funds through taxes, then use the tax funds to establish charities to raise funds for university programs, and then use the charities to establish private business incubators to sponsor new businesses - agreeable to the university. The university funds are also used to participate in competitions for state and federal grants. The government competing against itself you might say - as well as crowding out private competition for public grants. The intellectual property created pursuant to a grant is owned by the university and transferred through licensing arrangements to either their charity or their new business. One would think that tax supported intellectual property would be owned in common by the people and therefore available to anyone who supports the tax system. If you haven't seen the rules in the Code, visit CSPAN's recent programs regarding (1) the Irish Business Summit and (2) US Trade with Ireland and listen to the university official representing the University of North Carolina speak about her intentions to raise funds using private sector mechanisms because the economy of North Carolina is insufficient to support the university with public funds (paraphrased). The question should be not about the relationship between charity and races but rather about the relationship between the university/government complex which establishes legal and economic conditions and perhaps creates a crowding out effect that makes it difficult for non-university charities and sole proprietorships to raise funds from the general and government markets. Non-university charities and business incubators are left with races, restaurants and laundry shops. Something to think about.
