> Where is the money going to? That's the big question. In addition, when a professor gets a grant, the university takes a large chunk (40-60%) for overhead.

> Where is the money going to? That's the big question. In addition, when a professor gets a grant, the university takes a large chunk (40-60%) for overhead. Anecdote: When I started as a postdoc recently, all new faculty and staff had orientation together. This was the middle of the semester, and there were about 20-25 of us. Of that group, there were no new professors (beginning of semester, wouldn't be unusual), 2-3 postdocs, maybe 5 facilities people (janitor, electrician, etc). Everyone else was administration/communication/finance/etc. Universities, particularly large ones, are very, very, top heavy (with part of that due to compliance with regulations).