You know what would be amazing? If a decrease in college admissions led universities to actually have to compete. It's entirely possible for most universities to cut administrative costs by massive amounts. And university admins may be leftists, but they also have a self-preservation instinct.

I'm not naive; I know it's a long shot. But the strength of American universities has always been in solid, brilliant faculty (especially in STEM fields), because unlike grade school teachers, they don't have to take education courses. And if I were a university administrator with any power, that's what I'd focus on. Cut costs everywhere else, anywhere possible. Focus on acquiring the absolute best faculty. You'll be more competitive and attractive to the best and brightest students, and then you eventually end up with a solid base of alumni, which is the bedrock of your donor field.

Universities, come talk to me. I have ideas.