Sources: USC, U-M question Big Ten capital deal

The article reports that trustees at the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of Michigan (U-M) have raised concerns about the Big Ten's proposed $2 billion-plus private capital deal. The primary issue raised during the discussion on Tuesday was that the deal does not address the underlying problem of soaring costs, which has made the need for additional funding so urgent. The article suggests that the trustees are not entirely convinced that the proposed deal is the best solution to the financial challenges faced by the universities in the Big Ten conference. They are seeking a more comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of the increasing costs, rather than simply providing a temporary cash injection. The article provides a concise summary of the key points, focusing on the main concerns raised by the trustees and the apparent lack of a long-term solution to the financial issues facing the universities in the Big Ten.