When times are tough economically, all state-funded institutions have a tougher time convincing politicians and tax-payers of the value they deliver.  Educational institutions seem to bear the first brunt of many legislative and executive chopping block reflexes.  This graph (click the image above to go to the source.)  demonstrates the short time horizons they are seeing the world through.

What the world needs now is better perspective.  Wisconsin tax-payers and educators have delivered an efficient tool with this illustration.