Universities in the United States experienced an average endowment return of negative 1.9 percent over 2016. Harvard University enjoyed a very bright and special negative 2 percent return. Across US universities the 10 year average annual return fell from 6.3% to 5% and the 5 year figure went from 9.8% to 5.4% compared to 2015 figures. Continued dismal energy and mining sector performance along with the activist led divestment fad likely contributed to the suffering of these fiat institutions. In the inflationary fiat monetary system exemplified by the US dollar, a positive ~7.4% growth rate is typically cited as a target for endowment growth to outrun the inflationary loss in purchasing power. Sorry for your loss.