Over the years, the Sackler family, which owns Purdue Pharma, a company being blamed for the opioid crisis, donated more than $60 million to colleges, with at least six receiving about $5 million or more.' 2016 list of the top 20 wealthiest families in America and it's not uncommon for wealthy people to contribute to universities. However, given Purdue's manufacturing of OxyContin and the number of opioid deaths, some have questioned whether schools should return donations.
The Sacklers' donations to colleges and universities impacted private and public institutions and spanned multiple continents. After reviewing tax documents, thereported on Thursday that at least two dozen universities received donations over the last five years, totaling more than $60 million. After Rockefeller was the University of Sussex in Brighton, England. The AP reported tax documents showed the institution was given $9.8 million, but the school told the news outlet that it was about $4 million because a second pledge"was not progressed."
Returning the funds enriches the family and takes from the college. What purpose would that serve?