Thanks for the thoughtful comments. What do you think about a Chancellor system for our Universities to reduce redundant costs? It would allow all three schools to keep their hallowed colors and mascots and save the State an enormous amount of capital? It works elsewhere, why not here?

For Boise State, ISU and U of I to be financially in league with a school like the University of Utah will take sustained investments of hundreds of millions of dollars annually, probably for the next two decades. Even if that were to happen, again, Idaho's universities will be nowhere near Big Ten or Pac-10 schools.

What we know for sure is there is no private capacity to fund the universities at such a level. If there were, BSU would not have capped its "Destination Distinction" campaign at $175 million (which by the way will put BSU in league with such powerhouses as New Mexico State). So that leaves the public sector, i.e., our legislators to find some dough. Oh yeah – it's out there. Idaho's tax code features $1.7 billion in credits, exemptions, exclusions, and deductions ANNUALLY that lead to little or no economic development. Imagine if we withheld those for ONE YEAR even and then put them all back on the books – and used the money for education! Well, we can imagine, anyway.