The Elusive Concept of 'State Action' - A Textbook Tangle

Yepp, textbook writers just can't seem to define 'state action' clearly. It's like trying to grasp a handful of sand - it slips away. In Constitutional Law, we're taught that state action refers to activities of private individuals or entities that are so closely tied to the government that it becomes indistinguishable from state conduct. But how close is close? Does it involve complicity, coercion, or just a cozy relationship? The Supreme Court's tests and precedents are all over the map. For instance, in Burton v. Wilmington Parking Authority (1961), the court held that the leasing of a parking garage to a private party with a segregated eatery within was 'state action'. But what about more nuanced situations? Like a private university's tie-up with a government-funded research project? Can it be considered state action? Help me out, folks!