Comparing tech firm operational costs to universities is a bit ridiculous -- Facebook runs multiple private datacenters globally. Most universities get by with a dozen clustered on campus serving administrative, educational and research objectives. It also serves more or less the planet, whereas the Harvards and Berkeleys of the world exist to serve a few dozen thousand at at time.
$1.5B pays for quite a bit of research. Or, more accurately, a lot of real estate speculation for the board of trustees to play.
$1.5B pays for quite a bit of research. Or, more accurately, a lot of real estate speculation for the board of trustees to play.