Define Public Ivy Meaning

Many years ago, an author wrote a book about public ivies, or public universities in USA that offer quality educations. It's a reference to the Ivy League, which is a very selective sports conference that only has seven schools. Then the list was amended and now includes over 30 schools. Some of the supporters of schools that are considered public ivies, such as Miami University like to constantly state this as a way of bragging. Most of the schools on this list and their students simply don't care.