LSU's Endowment Is Very Low

True. But our's is extremely weak for a state flagship.

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People avoiding contributing directly to the university because F. King Alexander is a jackass who cannot be trusted with the money. Most alumni simply donate to specific departments for specific projects so the money goes where it will actually do some good rather than pay for a 6 figure salary for a dozen unnecessary administrators and deans of diversity.

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Except we have a history of underfunding the endowment since basically forever.

Football team aside, LSU isn't in a good place right now. Incompetent and uninspiring leadership at the top of the university, the school is coming out of years of budget cuts, and TOPS will most likely be on the chopping block again next year.

You really have no idea what you're talking about.

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I think you should explain the endowment in general, benefits, $ contribution amounts etc. People will not contribute to what they don't understand. You mention A&M - I didn't go there I am aware of their funds through good communication to their alums.

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This. In the 17 Years since I've graduated, not once has LSU contacted me about donating. Not the alumni association nor the school itself. Perhaps if they let more of us know how to donate, and how the donations will be spent, they'd get a little more cheddar out of us.

Ill give you two examples of why people in Louisiana dont trust government enough to donate or support millages and tax increases.

The Causeway bridge was sold to voters on the premise that the tolls would pay for the bridge in 20 years or so and then the tolls would be lifted and the bridge would be funded out of the States highway budget. That was 62 years ago. Not only are the tolls still in place they keep going up. Concerned Citizens for St. Tammany cited that the Causeway was actually paid for 3 or 4 times over since it was built.

The Crescent City Connection was sold to the voters the same way and paid for even more times over and not only did they never willingly remove the tolls they fought their removal tooth and nail even going as far as forming PACS to advertise and spread fear propaganda all the way to allegations of voter fraud resulting in a re-vote/re-count.

LA politicians love their honey pots and power. The quote, "Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely" has never been more aptly applied than in the case of LA politics.

Texas A&M and Texas are in a different league because of the State oil money they get pumped into their endowments, so that's not exactly an apples to apples comparison.

However, I agree that LSU's endowment is embarrassing, and we alumni need to give back more to the academic side of the University.

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Ill give you two examples of why people in Louisiana dont trust government enough to donate or support millages and tax increases.

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Anecdotal example...while LSU is a public university, you are confusing public infrastructure taxes with donations that stay within an institution of higher education.

Another poor excuse to not support the endowment.

I agree that the communication could be better between LSU and donors. Other than that, the excuses on here have been lame. Higher education is an investment in Louisiana's future and has a high ROI. Our flagship university needs to have a large endowment.

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so if an organization is poorly run, people should just continue to donate to that organization?

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I don't find LSU to be poorly run. I'm amazed at what they've been able to do with so little.

Of course there are areas that can be improved as there are in any large organization. I'm sorry that you feel that way and hope that you find more proactive ways to engage LSU's perceived weaknesses.