"With over $20 billion in funding provided for research and development, universities across the nation are struggling to outline a clear path between stimulus funding, their research projects, and viable job creation. One such case involves the University of Notre Dame.
A report from the South Bend Tribune shows that Notre Dame has been benefitting nicely from federal stimulus money, having been awarded numerous grants worth nearly $35 million. Despite a proclamation from the top White House economic adviser that the term “summer of recovery” refers to construction projects, not employment specifically, the Tribune report states that, “None of the money awarded to Notre Dame went to bricks and mortar.”
It barely went toward creating jobs either. Robert J. Bernhard, vice-president for research at Notre Dame, boasts that, “The stimulus funding has allowed for new hiring, creating the full-time equivalent of about 90 new jobs.” That’s roughly $386,000 per newly minted job. The description of those positions varies widely, ranging from full-time research professors to undergraduates working a few hours a week."
always follow the money.
Is there anything illegal in knowingly aiding a lawbreaker?