The Research Corporation report asks whether this increased endowment income is helping colleges to provide improved education in the sciences. A major use of endowment income and gift funds is for construction of buildings. Seven of the eleven institutions surveyed had building programs under way or planned for the sciences, and three of the four remaining expected to stress science facilities in upcoming campaigns. New construction serves to make a campus attractive to prospective students who will bring in the tuition fees that support most of a college's budget. There appears to be little correlation between endowment and support for those who carry out research with undergraduates.
Expectations regarding hours spent in classrooms and laboratories seem to depend on tradition.
This is a trend that could profitably be extended to many more colleges, because there is clear evidence that undergraduate research experience is strongly correlated with the success of students who are potential scientists. Endowment funds are being used to support startup packages for new faculty, which are required to attract the best teachers and researchers. Endowment also supports purchases of instruments, where matching funds are required by federal grants. However, it is not always easy to come up with matching funds for big-ticket items like NMRs. Also, there is constant pressure to provide the latest in computer equipment, especially for use in teaching.