This is just in the early stages right now...but its definitely something to keep an eye on!!

 

New arena on UC radar

 

The question is frequently posed to University of Cincinnati athletic director Mike Thomas.  What is the school going to do about Fifth Third Arena? Are there plans to renovate the 17-year-old building? Or does the school prefer to build a new one?  Thomas is quick with the answer.

 

Based on a study by Trahan Architects, based in Baton Rouge, La., the logical approach is to build a new arena that seats about 16,000-17,000 fans and is designed in the round with all chair-back seats and the fans located as close to the floor as possible.  The study was commissioned by former athletic director Bob Goin and completed just before the end of 2006.

 

“The study said that it can be renovated,” Thomas said of Fifth Third, “but based on the dollars it would take to renovate it, it would be cost prohibitive and you would still be dealing with an arena that wasn’t new. Knowing that you would be dealing with like dollars to build a new arena, it just didn’t make sense (to renovate).”  Beyond that, Thomas has very few answers as he looks down the road with an eye toward building a new on-campus arena, perhaps within the next 10 years, maybe sooner if the money can be raised.

 

Read full article here:

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070122/SPT0101/301220051/-1/all

So they want a stadium that's more "fan friendly" meaning better seats... I can solve their problem and save them millions of dollars by one simple solution: Get rid of the RallyCats or move them to the upper level. They're the ones hogging up the prime seating.

 

UCs spending is out of control. They shouldn't even be talking about this. I love Varsity Village, the Rec Center, Tangeman, Scneider/Turner Hall, etc as much as the next person but when you have that much new construction and don't have a library open late for people to study (who the hell can study in a dorm?) and lack of open classes each quarter then a university's priorities are wrong.

So they want a stadium that's more "fan friendly" meaning better seats... I can solve their problem and save them millions of dollars by one simple solution: Get rid of the RallyCats or move them to the upper level. They're the ones hogging up the prime seating.

 

UCs spending is out of control. They shouldn't even be talking about this. I love Varsity Village, the Rec Center, Tangeman, Scneider/Turner Hall, etc as much as the next person but when you have that much new construction and don't have a library open late for people to study (who the hell can study in a dorm?) and lack of open classes each quarter then a university's priorities are wrong.

 

I really hope you're kidding about moving the student section to the upper-deck!!!  But another thing you must realize is that in government/institutions there is different colored money so to speak.  Money for Varsity Village and other athletic projects DOES NOT come from the pot that is created from tuition and what not.  The money for athletics is derived from the athletic department.  Its the revenue from events, sponsorships, and donations.  Hence the 'Lindner Center...Schott Field...5/3 Arena...you get the point.

 

This is the reason why Mike Thomas said that the athletic department should focus on paying off Varsity Village before refocusing attention on a new arena....the athletic department almost acts as its own entity from the University of Cincinnati, and this is quite normal.  Much like how big cities completely govern themselves without state interference (NYC, Chicago).

College student sections should always be by the court.  Replacing those bleacher seats in 5/3 Arena would be a good move. 

Where the hell would they put a new arena?

 

theyd have to tear down the shoe, temporarily play in US Bank Arena I would guess. 

Spend millions; ignore 1,000's

UC's plan for new place for athletes to play doesn't help working students

BY PAUL DAUGHERTY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

 

Before we discuss the University of Cincinnati's need for a new basketball arena to replace the ancient, 17- year-old Shoemaker Center, let's talk about Tom Demeropolis. He's a senior at UC. Last year, he took a class in advanced reporting I taught at 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

 

Tom was a great student, but he wasn't always on time. A few days ago, I found out why: He worked the 4-10 a.m. shift as the produce department manager at the bigg's in Delhi. "I can tell you all you need to know about apples," he says.  Demeropolis had a schedule that would tax a Swiss watch: Thirty hours a week at Bigg's, 18 credit hours at UC, another 20 to 25 hours working at the News Record, UC's newspaper. That was before he ever cracked a book or wrote a paper. bigg's paid him $10.50 an hour and had a tuition reimbursement plan that offered him $2 for every hour he worked.

 

Read full article here:

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070128/COL03/701280451/1064/SPT0101

WHAT???!!! That's fucking terrible. Our library is 24 hours and only closes early (midnight) on Friday and Saturday.

 

I don't know why the hell a school would be focusing on SPORTS when they can't even provide the basic necessity of a 24-hour library. Man, our culture has its priorities misplaced...

 

Preaching to the choir.  I couldn't even find a computer to use Wednesday.  They had classes in the computer labs and I needed a computer with Illustrator and Photoshop.  I asked one of the computer help guys if there was any available and his reply was "you're required to have a laptop when you come to school here."  Thanks alot jackass but my laptop crapped out and I don't have $1000s laying around for a new one...But lets go out and spend millions on a new arena to replace the ancient 17 year-old current one.

UC doesn't have a 24-hour library? Being an urban campus, I would expect that even more. Thank goodness for MU's King.

 

The separate dollars argument has its place, but I wonder how academic donations suffer when the athletic department is asking for Varsity Village or new arena donations.

^Are you talking about the computer graphics center in DAAP? I had that problem last wednesday as well. Its not a matter of having a laptop or not... I had to do the layout of a posterboard that was half a gigabyte. When editing such a big posterboard in photoshop its better to have a big 25-30 inch monitor--whatever they are, and the processing power and memory that those computers have. Working on those computers are 10x as efficient as on my laptop.

 

To make things more annoying, the guy at the plotters was only taking print jobs til 10:30... Many students end up trying to bribe him to stay longer or they have to run to kinkos several miles away and pay twice as much so that they can get their stuff done on time.

 

I also went into the daap library last week to read some planning and architecture magazines and they told me I had to leave at 5pm because they were closed. I think it was on a Friday but I'm not sure.

 

One of the big selling points of living on campus is the 24 hour convenience store at the Rec Center... If you're up late you can run there and get a snack or coffee or whatever, but after last quarter they reduced their hours to 1 or 2am. I'm not 100 percent sure but it sounds like a budget cut to me.

 

I just think its disgusting that people donate millions of dollars to sports before something that improves academic quality. Especially for our sorry teams. Perhaps if we had a 24 hour library our basketball team's combined great point average might someday exceed a 2.0. I thought that the point of a university was that all of the resources were shared. If the athletic dept is a separate entity with their own allocation of funds, why would I want to support them if the money isn't pumped back into the university?

Money is pumped back into the university, David.  When sports teams do well, donations to the school (not just the athletic department) increase substantially.  One argument for building better facilities is that you can attract better players to build better teams to get more alumni support for the school

UC doesn't have 24 hour food service either? Sheesh!

 

When sports teams do well, donations to the school (not just the athletic department) increase substantially.

 

Thats not saying much for our society then, is it?

It sounds nice in theory but I'd like to see exactly how effective it is because that would give large state schools like Ohio State a huge HUGE advantage over everyone else. UC doesn't have 24 hour food service, but stadium view cafe is open until midnight. You can use your meal plan.

First off their is a 24 hour computer lab right on Main St.  It requires a student ID after certain hours though for security purposes.

 

As for the whole funding thing...the different kinds of money thing is completely legit!!!  Is it the university's fault that local philantropists are willing to fund athletics like there is no tommorow but are much more hesitant to fund academic projects??  If you don't think that the university is doing what it can to raise money for academic purposes contact someone at the UC Foundation and listen to what they tell you about their $1 billion endowment drive (one of the largest in the nation...only a handful of schools have taken on drives this large).

 

For everyone bitching about the current academic funding at UC, I would redirect your anger to those politicians in Columbus who have cut funding for higher education consistantly over the past years!  Sure UC has high tuition, but so does OSU, OU, MU, BGSU, etc...  This problem is not unique to UC, but it is unique to the State of Ohio.  It is the terrible decision making from our politicians that has put our universities on this ground.

 

So if you have a beef with the funding for academics...start another thread that concerns that topic, because in all honesty...this new arena has NOTHING to do with academics...privately funded, operated/controlled by the athletic department...all other funding is completely different, so please don't fall for the Enquirer's stupid games!

MU has seen the same cuts, yet maintains a 24 hour library and food service. Unless UC is too dangerous to have that kind of stuff open at night...

 

Even with the money argument, replacing a building after such a short time is quite wasteful and again, doesn't say much for our society.

MU has seen the same cuts, yet maintains a 24 hour library and food service. Unless UC is too dangerous to have that kind of stuff open at night...

 

Maybe you haven't been around UC to know the dynamic of the neighborhood.  I would attribute the lack of a 24 hour dining service to the fact that EVERY business around UC accepts the Bearcat Card and students usually prefer to eat at the likes of Panera Bread, Chipotle, Chicago Gyros, Macs, Jimmy Johns, Potbelly, Boloco, various Indian/Asian restaurants, etc...

 

IMO, there is no need to have those 24 hour dining options..sure it would be nice for a more vibrant campus after class hours, but the neighboring businesses surely don't mind...and do quite well!

Unless UC is too dangerous to have that kind of stuff open at night...

 

Its funny that you say this...seeing as how UC has one of the BEST safety records of any university in Ohio (UC Police force is the 2nd largest unit in Hamilton County behind CPD).  Off campus it can be a crapshoot but oncampus is VERY safe, especially when compared to MU!

>I would redirect your anger to those politicians in Columbus who have cut funding for higher education consistantly over the past years!  Sure UC has high tuition, but so does OSU, OU, MU, BGSU, etc...  This problem is not unique to UC, but it is unique to the State of Ohio.  It is the terrible decision making from our politicians that has put our universities on this ground.

 

In addition to tuition, they have tacked funding for various pet projects into the "fees" category -- why should students have to pay for a campus rec center or computer lab if they don't plan on using it?  If they choose to go to a private gym or use their own computer they're still stuck paying those fees.  It's because those things exist primarily to impress visiting high school students.  Right now high school students aren't going to be impressed by the Shoemaker Center, THAT'S why they want to build a new arena, aside from giving them an excuse to generate more luxury box and club seat revenue.   

 

But the larger issue is that universities are stuck paying out huge pensions to every faculty and staff member who retires -- and many are forced into early retirement at OU -- meaning someone who retires at age 60 could very easily collecting a pension for 30 years.  The pensions are burying the American automakers and now students across America are going into much more debt than they would have if schools used 457 (I think that's the government equivalent of a 401k) and IRA-based retirement plans.  There is something called OPERS in Ohio which I think is something like a 401k but nevertheless thens of thousands of people statewide are still getting monthly pensions and health coverage out of today's tuition and endowments.  I was told by a retired OU professor that he was still getting $40K a year in retirement.  $2,000 has been thrown around as the amount tacked on to new American cars just to pay pensions -- what is it for state universities in Ohio?  If it's $1,000 per year then that's $4,000 total for a four year degree, but I fear it's larger than that.       

Also, the money for all those new elementary, middle and high schools across the state was taken at least partly from higher education.

In addition to tuition, they have tacked funding for various pet projects into the "fees" category -- why should students have to pay for a campus rec center or computer lab if they don't plan on using it?  If they choose to go to a private gym or use their own computer they're still stuck paying those fees.  It's because those things exist primarily to impress visiting high school students.  Right now high school students aren't going to be impressed by the Shoemaker Center, THAT'S why they want to build a new arena, aside from giving them an excuse to generate more luxury box and club seat revenue.

 

Do you know that you pay taxes for public schools, roadways, parks, fire/police, etc...whether you use them or not.  They are public amenities/services...these items are expected to be present in our society and we pay taxes for them to be there.  This is the same concept for universities...once again UC is not alone in this, but yes there is a 'general fee' which goes to such items as greenspace (parks), rec center, student groups/organizations, etc...this money does not soley go to 'pet projects' but rather items that are expected to be present in the college environment.  These items are free on a usage basis, but do require an upfront fee to upkeep and operate them.

 

Sure it doesn't hurt to have glitsy new buildings and venues at your university for incoming students to gawk at, but it that is what the market is demanding...then should you blame the universities for meeting that demand or the individuals creating that demand...or should anyone be blamed at all??

 

I feel that the Rec Center is a welcome addition to the university and I think that people who live in the neighboring communities would agree.  I also think that the availability of a wide variety of student groups/organizations has made my college experience thus far more well rounded.  I would also think that the community and students alike would agree that more green space is a nice feature for the university and community as a whole...its not like the students are funding pork projects that only a handful of people benefit from.  These are projects that every student takes advantage from and some take more advantage than others, but whose fault is that?

MU has seen the same cuts, yet maintains a 24 hour library and food service. Unless UC is too dangerous to have that kind of stuff open at night...

 

Maybe you haven't been around UC to know the dynamic of the neighborhood.  I would attribute the lack of a 24 hour dining service to the fact that EVERY business around UC accepts the Bearcat Card and students usually prefer to eat at the likes of Panera Bread, Chipotle, Chicago Gyros, Macs, Jimmy Johns, Potbelly, Boloco, various Indian/Asian restaurants, etc...

 

Sure, but is that stuff open mid-night - 3/4 a.m.? You need some option besides a vending machine or microwave when pulling an all-nighter!!!

 

Unless UC is too dangerous to have that kind of stuff open at night...

 

Its funny that you say this...seeing as how UC has one of the BEST safety records of any university in Ohio (UC Police force is the 2nd largest unit in Hamilton County behind CPD).  Off campus it can be a crapshoot but oncampus is VERY safe, especially when compared to MU!

 

LOL. So how bad is on campus crime at Miami?

^Yes there are many places open that late around campus...you should check it out for yourself!  As for the crime issue...if you are really asking that question then I am surprised.  Its been well documented over the past few years that MU has been riddled with crime, and is known for having some of the worst on-campus crime rates of any university in the state!  Whereas UC has one of the lowest on-campus crime rates in the state.

 

Now once again, should someone wish to create an Ohio Universities thread where everyone can bitch until the cows come home...this thread has gotten WAAY off topic...please try to keep the conversation relevant!

^I certainly would like to see you back this up with some credible sats.  I find your comments about crime on Miami's campus very difficult to believe.

^I certainly would like to see you back this up with some credible sats.  I find your comments about crime on Miami's campus very difficult to believe.

 

Exactly, you can't make a statement like that and then say "take it out of the thread," then it isn't addressed in the thread.

 

It is like if I said, it is well documented that Cincinnati sucks, now go talk about it somewhere else. For the rest of history, the statement will be read, but not discussed, discounted, or supported.

 

 

And yes, I'd like to see some MU on campus numbers. There seem to be spurts of crime off campus, which gets the Cincinnati media buzzing, but I can only think of one on campus incident since I've been here.

Check the local news for documentation of the amount of crime at MU. I don't know why MU is being discussed on this thread.  I am glad that overpriced MU has 24 dinning, I would much rather support real business than what UC has to offer for food. It is overpriced, along with housing. We all like our respected schools, and it is a fucking waste of time for us who want to read the discussion of the new arena when it is full of comments on MU, OSU and when you can go to the library or eat.

 

Now back to the arena, as was discussed in the sports section a while ago, there has been plans to move CAS (College of Applied Science) back to main campus from its buildings on Taft by I-71. The location of Daniels Hall, the former Sander Dinning Hall (Also shares space with the African Studies Department), Fifth Third Arena and some open land is the most logical spot to place CAS. Now as far as a new arena, I imagine that the other two ugly sisters will be torn down, along with the shitty parking ramp located near them. A new arena could be placed at this location with new underground and some above ground parking. Second location could possibly be where the Alumni Center is located. I have spoken with several high and mighty alumni and they know that the center is on its way out. I was told that the business school was most likely to expand here, but knowing UC, who knows.

 

My third choice and perhaps the best would to build the new arena in Burnett Woods. While this is a nice park, the southern edge along MLK would be a great place for an arena. The park is mostly thought as unsafe by most students and by placing a large venue, like an arena, in the park would make the park more useful and it would provide an excellent atmosphere for the arena. It could also allow UC to grow north where the land is available and reduce the cost of building because buildings would be more spread out and not crammed in between current buildings.

Again, I ask, is anything local open in the middle of the night? Since UncleRando side stepped that, I assume the answer is no.

 

 

UC/MU Crime Discussion can move here:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=11819.new#new

Thank you Ink for the info and again disrupting this thread with irrelevant information! There is shit open all night. Just go walk around Taft or McMillan around 3 a.m. when all the drunks are out!

Now back to the arena, as was discussed in the sports section a while ago, there has been plans to move CAS (College of Applied Science) back to main campus from its buildings on Taft by I-71. The location of Daniels Hall, the former Sander Dinning Hall (Also shares space with the African Studies Department), Fifth Third Arena and some open land is the most logical spot to place CAS. Now as far as a new arena, I imagine that the other two ugly sisters will be torn down, along with the shitty parking ramp located near them. A new arena could be placed at this location with new underground and some above ground parking. Second location could possibly be where the Alumni Center is located. I have spoken with several high and mighty alumni and they know that the center is on its way out. I was told that the business school was most likely to expand here, but knowing UC, who knows.

 

My third choice and perhaps the best would to build the new arena in Burnett Woods. While this is a nice park, the southern edge along MLK would be a great place for an arena. The park is mostly thought as unsafe by most students and by placing a large venue, like an arena, in the park would make the park more useful and it would provide an excellent atmosphere for the arena. It could also allow UC to grow north where the land is available and reduce the cost of building because buildings would be more spread out and not crammed in between current buildings.

 

This is the area that I have heard thrown around.  The university has been wanting to get rid of both Dabney and Daniels Halls..and also move student housing more towards the middle of campus (UC 21...place students at the center).  This site also offers easier access for people coming from outside of the university area, and allows direct connention with quad that has been inked in for the area that is outlined in slightly thinner area.

 

The Shoe would then make room for new student housing to replace the deteriorating units in the above complexes (I agree with Dabney, but Daniels not so sure).

 

Once again the arena area would be in the thicker outlined area...and would be adjacent to the future quad of sorts that is in the thinner outlined area.

My understanding is that the CAS is scheduled to go where the abandoned auditorium is on the west side of the campus (by DAAP). When it comes to Burnett Woods. I always thought that it would be a good place to put dorms along MLK….DAAP, Engineering, and the business college are  directly on MLK and students want to be close to their classes. It would also be nice is Burnett was included in the campus master plan and UC made a commitment to draw people in from campus better than it does in its current state.

 

But an Arena could fit into that plan too…

 

I believe the site of the abandoned auditorium on Clifton is slated to house all the offices that are currently in Crosley, since it will be coming down soon (who knows with UC though).  I don't think Burnett Woods should be touched.  All Burnett needs is some tlc by the Park Board and UC and I believe it can really become a truely great neighborhood park.  The Clifton area is full of the type of people who would constantly use the park if it was up to par.  As for the new arena, when we start selling out games constantly for 4-5+ years, then maybe it should be considered.  And it's not as if 5/3 held the basketball program back from achieving great things in the past, so why the big need now?

As for the new arena, when we start selling out games constantly for 4-5+ years, then maybe it should be considered.

 

If you were to wait as you are suggesting then you are putting yourself behind the curve.  When things do get going good again, then you will be trying to react rather than capitalizing on the momentum.

 

And it's not as if 5/3 held the basketball program back from achieving great things in the past, so why the big need now?

 

Thats interesting...even during the years when UC was a perennial #1 and a national powerhouse, the program underperformed in terms of attendance figures.  While Huggins was here he did nothing but bitch about the state of the arena and how it hurt attendance for bball games.  Have you ever sat in those seats way up top....they're TERRIBLE!!!!  I know I sure as hell wouldn't pay more than $5 or $10 for a seat like that!

Somebody else chime in here if they know otherwise, but from what I know, UC taking any more land from Burnet Woods almost surely will not happen.

 

In one of my classes at UC back in Spring of 2004, we looked into the idea of putting a bike path through Burnet Woods, mainly along the existing sidewalk along Clifton Ave.  We brought this idea up to the Parks Board at the end of our project, and they basically said that they will not give up even 1 square foot of land in the park without getting 1 square foot of land to add to the park in return.  I was a little shocked at this, as I was thinking that the Parks Board might acutally benefit if a bike path was added in the park, but that did not appear to be the case. 

^From what I've heard....Burnet Woods is pretty much off limits for any UC stuff (or anything for that matter).  Also from looking at the UC comp plans....I'm not sure that UC has any interest in pursuing development of Burnet Woods, they are more concerned with the Short Vine area, Calhoun/McMillan St area, and a seamless connection between East and West campus'.

Wally - check out this website for the latest master plan for the burnet woods park

 

www.uptownconsortium.org

I'll make a bold proposal here to sell 3 or 4 acres of Burnett Woods at the NW corner of Clifton & MLK to help pay for a streetcar line down Clifton, I've always thought a high-rise apartment or dorm right on that corner would look great and activate that area (Perhaps that useless lawn between DAAP and the corner will someday be developed). Despite the action all being on the east side of the street between MLK and Ludlow, the line could be run very easily on the east side of the street, perhaps up and off the street where the east sidewalk is now.  Similarly a Clifton Ave. line could run on UC's lawn in front of McMicken Hall, if Big Nancy's in a good mood.   

 

Maybe its because i've only been to Burnet woods a few times but it seems extremely underutilized. Whenever I went, all I saw was homeless people or some students that were cutting through. I could definitely be wrong though. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if a large portion of Burnett woods was paved over, it wouldn't bother me at all. The landscaping inbetween daap and mlk is awesome though. I'm not really sure where you're getting that from :-/

Just a reminder...it is called Burnett Woods.  The is a natural area in the middle of an urban setting.  The woods have been consistantly trimed back over the years, and many people are not ready to see it continue.  Not to mention it would be a disastorious political move to try to pull off...therefore UC/anyone else would have to be crazy to touch that subject with a 10 foot pole.

I found these on a UC basketball website.  I didnt know that there were actual renderings of a new UC arena.  Although it looks like they have been shelved for the time being.  

 

http://www.trahanarchitects.com/

 

click on "Featured Architecture"

click on "Sports Experience" and scroll through.

 

I'm not sure that I understand this design.

You have an awesome username.  I just wanted to say that and welcome!

You have an awesome username.  I just wanted to say that and welcome!

 

Sounds racist to me! ;)

interesting

You have an awesome username.  I just wanted to say that and welcome!

 

Sounds racist to me! ;)

 

Thank you, Mansion Hill.

I'll make a bold proposal here to sell 3 or 4 acres of Burnett Woods at the NW corner of Clifton & MLK to help pay for a streetcar line down Clifton, I've always thought a high-rise apartment or dorm right on that corner would look great and activate that area (Perhaps that useless lawn between DAAP and the corner will someday be developed). Despite the action all being on the east side of the street between MLK and Ludlow, the line could be run very easily on the east side of the street, perhaps up and off the street where the east sidewalk is now.  Similarly a Clifton Ave. line could run on UC's lawn in front of McMicken Hall, if Big Nancy's in a good mood.   

 

 

Not sure if I've ever mentioned it but we had a speaker from the park board and they proposed selling off the edges of Burnett woods against Clifton Ave. to developers. There was also a restaurant in the center of the park, I saw on the site plan. The park board has the executive power to do it. It's a terrible idea though and I doubt it would ever come to fruition.

Pave paradise and put up a parking lot!

 

--Joni Mitchell (and many others)

I found these on a UC basketball website.  I didnt know that there were actual renderings of a new UC arena.  Although it looks like they have been shelved for the time being. 

 

http://www.trahanarchitects.com/

 

click on "Featured Architecture"

click on "Sports Experience" and scroll through.

 

I'm not sure that I understand this design.

 

This is very interesting...not sure I'm a big fan of the seating layout though.  I'm sure this will change a lot over the years to come.

Nothing is going to change on UC's campus for probably at least 5 years and very likely 10 years. If you read the articles out this week about the money problems there, you'll see that Athletics are UC are mostly a money loser especially the football team. I'd imagine at this point that basketball is going to have to live with Fifth-Third through at least one more full state funding cycle. They may try to spif up the interior, but UC is so deep in debt it is depressing. Unfortunately, academics are going to start suffering soon.

I've heard some rumors lately of some LARGE donations coming to UC's Athletic Department...granted they were for the football program, but the point is that if you get a few generous donations your way you can get these types of projects going.

 

The university is in the bad financial times, but they have balanced their budget and seem to think that they can work out this debt over the next 5 years.  I highly doubt that the academics will suffer in that short amount of time...that will be the last thing they look to cut (hopefully).

The state isn't going to bail UC out anytime soon and students aren't going to put up more than the most basic inflationary increase in fees. Any money for football would pretty much just pay back the debt to the university they owe.

I've dealt a lot recently with the UC Foundation and they have specific rules concerning donations made to different components of the University. If an individual makes a donation stating that they want it to go to something specific (say a new facility), the University and the individual sign a contract and the University is bound by law to use the money for that purpose.

I don't doubt that is the case but what ends up happening is that money that would generally come out of the general fund is erased and the named money takes its place. Unfortunately, when the budget is as messed up as it is now, that can often be a negative equation in which the private money is shorter term and less than the original general fund money.