Benjamin Trachtenberg

---

Letter to the editor: ‘Giving cords’ detract from graduation’s focus

There is no question that the University of Wisconsin—Madison is at a pivotal point in its history. Unless private funding is found, decreasing state funding and rising operational costs will inevitably push the university toward a point where it will have to choose between drastically reducing services or increasing tuition beyond ""affordable levels."" Given that reality, many groups have begun implementing well-intended, inventive financial campaigns to raise money.