Fair Farvard

At the end of the Middle Ages, the vast wealth of the Catholic Church proved a severe temptation to monarchs. Somewhat similarly, the Massachusetts legislature has been casting covetous eyes at the enormous wealth of its education industry, and has mused about taxing it.

Harvard economics professor Greg Mankiw (we won't mention Greg's less than excellent adventure in the Bush White House) thinks that might be a signal that it's time to move along. Space is short in Cambridge, and the place is big enough to be unwieldy anyway.

1. Instead of expanding the university into Alston, Harvard could create a second campus in another state. Call it Harvard South. (Put it in a better climate than Boston, and I would be one of the first faculty to volunteer for the move.)

2. Transfer much of the endowment to Harvard South. Support Harvard North by slowly selling off land in Massachusetts.

3. Eventually, make Harvard South the main campus, and Harvard North the satellite. If Massachusetts state lawmakers remain hostile, close Harvard North down entirely.

That's dandy with Brad DeLong, who thinks they should move it to Berkeley. That, of course, would be a great waste, since the weather there is only a modest improvement on Boston, the land is also dear, and they already have some fine schools.

Southern New Mexico has an ideal climate though, and land is cheap. Illegal aliens to work in the cafeterias and maintain the grounds are plentiful. And, of course, we would be too thrilled to even think of taxing the joint anytime soon.

That "Harvard South" crap won't cut it though. How about, say, "Farvard?" Or maybe "El Harvardo?"

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