Seems to care more about bottom line than what is good for departments and students. Yale, although an excellent school, has become populated with managers and assistants that run institutes that are based on the amount of grant money brought in, and not necessarily what a group needs. So although still academic, the University is now designed as a more corporate entity, which focuses on finances, made apparent in the fact that 65% of the grants go to the general fund. The university also will waste copious amounts of money in construction projects where better planning could have saved thousands of dollars (moving the NMRs three times in one year instead of once and each move was $10000 per instrument). The graduate student experience varies in department and lab, but in general, graduate students seem to be undervalued (as is typical with most universities). The medical eye and dental insurance (additional fee) only covers the bare minimum, and in the case of contact wearers, only $104 per year for contact lenses - exam not covered. Also, parking fees for employees/students is ridiculous considering the lots are owned by the University. Facilities staff seem uninterested in job and in doing bare minimum. The floors in the labs are only swept and mopped if requested, which is usually never.
