Recently professor Donald Parsons argued in an op-ed (Cologne Cathedral on 23rd street? Feb. 2) that GW’s plan for a new science and engineering building could become a modern day “Cologne Cathedral.” However, a recent article by The Chronicle of Higher Education suggests that there is more to be considered here than at first glance. The article describes a new study that has found that some 27 universities made over $10 million off medical devices, vaccines and other intellectual property developed through research institutions. Looking the list of institutions in the study it is clear that GW would fit well on this list, as many of the schools enjoying these benefits are either on par or lesser known that GW.

These are benefits that have yet to be added into all of the complex analysis and discussion of the need for a science center. While it is an expensive and long term enterprise, the benefits that strong research institutions bring to universities are potentially exponential. As money off intellectual property comes in, so to do increased applications and further funds from government and private sources; all of which benefits the school in a number of ways. The competition clauses in the plan could be the most risk mitigating of all. While floors will have the potential to be unfinished, the thought of millions of dollars of intellectual property may encourage donations to happen sooner rather than later. After all, the Cologne Cathedral never had the potential of creating medical devices and vaccines while it sat unfinished.