Public Universities Exploit Eminent Domain Powers with Little Oversight
Dec 21, 2018 Chris West
Colleges tend to expand beyond their original missions by hiring more administrators and creating new programs. But they can also expand physically by exercising power usually reserved for state and federal governments. When that happens, universities can abuse their power and undermine the public good.
For a prime example of this expansion, look at how public universities use eminent domain. Universities have used this power to build sports arenas and parking lots, and evict students from university property that is then leased to private companies. Unless the public notices these abuses early, universities are rarely stopped from claiming property.
Eminent domain is the government power of taking private property for public use, with compensation paid to the owner. When used carefully, this taking can be justified and not spark public opposition. For example, it would be nearly impossible to build highways or hospitals in some urban areas without resorting to eminent domain.
https://www.jamesgmartin.center/2018/12/public-universities-exploit-eminent-domain-powers-with-little-oversight/
