how many of those first amendment profiteers posing as journalists will take this naked profiteering and pay the ransom, and how many will fight it?

I can understand the rate card for items that take effort to provision, such as tables and land lines and other equipment to rent.

as for the rate card for parking a satellite truck, cable runs, or other normally free items, that's dicey at best. As long as Hofstra's insurance covers any damage from accidents or protests or theft.

and I am no friend or ally of the mass media... first amendment for corporate profit that fails to serve the public interest by engaging in propaganda or biases reports violates FCC charter.

I'm sure that Hofstra's going to eat a bunch of costs again, and students (and their parents) can decide if their tuition and fees are spent on education or bragging rights.

If students are allowed to attend and participate and see behind the scenes planning for a major event for experience and resume-building, ok. But if not, it's a horrific inconvenience and waste of money.

Rice wasted a ton of money on a G-8 summit one year that benefitted nobody and resulted in a tuition jack, and it was widely resented.

it was during the summer, so it only inconvenienced research staff and administration types who provided summer services, such as job placement for business school, some admissions and tours.

however, I remember several business school types needing help with some job placement that were horribly frustrated with the runarounds and annoyances. And a few researchers I knew...

really didn't like having to suspend critical research on campus because of the important people in suits, or self-important functionaries walking around with brick phones and portable faxes.

Universities and colleges should only host events that directly benefit their students, and negotiate the maximum benefit for least cost.

Unless, of course, their entire Economics Department is utterly insane or mute.

I thought about "scientific research" and direct benefit to students... as well as "college athletics" benefits.

from a scientific research angle, once again, if it directly benefits the students and provides an unfiltered and uncensored look at what it truly takes. Just like a lab experiment or research.

from the athletics side, it's pure bragging rights. Because you can't make the argument that this offers an opportunity for the usual student-athlete: be our gladiator, and we'll teach you stuff.

Unless there's direct academic benefit to the students, this should be at a public venue, such as Kennedy Center, or a private one, like Carnegie Hall or MSG in NYC.

NPR reported 500 students are behind the scenes/attending the debates.