Endowment Spending Rules

havana trap, techno balkan brass band, afrobeat new jack swing · 3:55

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Lyrics

[Verse 1]
University treasures locked in vaults of time
Endowments growing, assets climb
But how much can we spend today
Without stealing tomorrow's pay?
Simple rules say fixed percent
Five point zero, money spent
But markets crash, the fund deflates
Students suffer, budget breaks

[Chorus]
Rolling averages smooth the ride
Three to five years as your guide
Geometric smoothing finds the mean
Keeps the spending flow serene
Balance fairness through the ages
Current needs with future wages
Spending rules that stand the test
Serve today while saving rest

[Verse 2]
Rolling method takes the wheel
Three year average makes it real
If endowment hits a peak
Don't spend it all within a week
Average out those market swings
Steady funding always brings
Stability to operations
Across the generations

[Chorus]
Rolling averages smooth the ride
Three to five years as your guide
Geometric smoothing finds the mean
Keeps the spending flow serene
Balance fairness through the ages
Current needs with future wages
Spending rules that stand the test
Serve today while saving rest

[Bridge]
Geometric weights decline
Recent years get stronger shine
Point eight, point six, point four
Each year matters less than before
Intergenerational equity
Means fairness for you and me
Grandchildren deserve their share
Of the wealth we're holding there

[Verse 3]
Smoothing volatility out
That's what these methods are about
Markets soar then markets fall
But spending stays stable through it all
Choose your rule with careful thought
Each approach has battles fought
Simple, rolling, or geometric
Keep your budget systematic

[Chorus]
Rolling averages smooth the ride
Three to five years as your guide
Geometric smoothing finds the mean
Keeps the spending flow serene
Balance fairness through the ages
Current needs with future wages
Spending rules that stand the test
Serve today while saving rest

[Outro]
From the vault to classroom door
Making endowments so much more
Than just numbers on a page
Wisdom flowing age to age

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