MIT and Harvard agree to transfer edX to ed-tech firm 2U

Re:MIT and Harvard agree to transfer edX to ed-tech firm 2U by narraturgy on Tuesday June 29, 2021 @02:21PM (#27679727)

I disagree. It seems unreasonable to hold not-for-profits to such an extreme ethical standard. They're already doing charitable work, why must they also be expected to lead the charge on unrelated social matters besides the one they chose?

I agree that executives are paid too much, but I don't expect a Soup Kitchen to be posting on social media about how they are fighting against discrimination of purple elephantfolk in Norway.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:MIT and Harvard agree to transfer edX to ed-tech firm 2U by wpietri on Tuesday June 29, 2021 @10:22PM (#27684200)

Because not-for-profits, which have special legal and tax treatment on the theory they're doing good for society, are accountable for how they spend money in ways that for-profit companies aren't.

I also think it's hilarious that "don't overpay executives and instead spend the money on the good you're supposed to be doing" is an "extreme ethical standard". How did the Overton Window get moved all the way to the basement?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:MIT and Harvard agree to transfer edX to ed-tech firm 2U by mattferderer on Wednesday June 30, 2021 @10:16AM (#27688819)

It's not just executives though. It's all staff. It's hard for a lot of people to take rather huge pay cuts to work at a non-profit.

Very few people at non-profits are "overpaid" when compared to salaries at a similar for profit company. Non-profits also have less tools available to pay their employees, such as stocks.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:MIT and Harvard agree to transfer edX to ed-tech firm 2U by username90 on Tuesday June 29, 2021 @09:02PM (#27683745)

If their executives get paid above their level of competence then the nonprofit is no longer nonprofit, it just distributes the profits via executive salaries.

[ Parent | on HN ]