Faculty Senate endorses cuts in Athletic Department funds

by Sarah R. Buchholz, Chronicle staff

fter a lengthy debate Feb. 14, the Faculty Senate voted to recommend that the campus contribution to the intercollegiate athletic budget be reduced by $2 million over the next four fiscal years.

     The Program and Budget Council's report originally had recommended a $1 million reduction, but during the discussion, the senate voted to increase the proposed cut. Much of the discussion centered on whether to specify the type of cuts in Athletics, with several senators expressing concern that a number of small high-quality programs would be eliminated rather than an expensive program, like football. Program and Budget Council chair Craig Moore and others argued that Athletics should be allowed to do its job, making reductions where it wished.

     The report cited the growth in Athletics over the past decade, campus priorities of teaching and research, and the current budgetary struggles of the campus as reasons to reduce the intercollegiate athletic budget.

     During the debate, interim Chancellor Marcellette G. Williams said Athletics is considering where to make cuts along the magnitude being discussed [$1 million] and that all programs are subject to review.

     State Rep. Stephen Kulik (D-Worthington) also was on hand to talk about the budget. Kulik told the senate that lobbying the legislature is helpful, indicating that visits by trustees and administrators, as well as staff, students, parents, alumni and friends, could influence funding for the University.

     "They should be out there leading the charge," Kulik said of the trustees.
He also suggested that students and parents telling their personal stories could affect lawmakers.

     He cautioned senators against expecting an increase in the next budget, though, saying that asking for the University's fair share of the state's budget would be a sounder approach.