<p>Can anyone comment on how the economic down turn is affecting the University of Chicago undergraduates? Are more courses canceled? More TAs, etc.</p>
<p>From what I’ve seen the endowment is down about 30% just like everybody else, however they seem to be in a kind of expansionary mood: new dorm, art center, library expansion, and are actually planning a hiring campaign ( [University</a> of Chicago student news, opinions, sports & culture - The Chicago Maroon](<a href=“http://www.chicagomaroon.com/]University”>http://www.chicagomaroon.com/)).</p>
<p>I also read that bad economic times are a boon to universities with large endowments because they get to buy properties in distress, give out contracts for construction to companies that would rather work for less than not at all, and offer to hire from a “hungry” work force. What’s being built now probably doesn’t have anything to do with this because plans were drawn and moneys approved a long time ago but it’s still food for thought.</p>