Football -- The Most Important University Priority?

The university and its Division of Athletics are at a crossroads.  President Caret has departed.  San Jose State faces perhaps the most severe budget crisis in its history.  It will absorb more than $10 million in real cuts during AY 2003/04, with more cuts very likely the following year.  Student fees have increased more than 40% in the past year.  At times like these, universities are required to focus on their core mission � educating their students � and to cut the frills.  To do anything else would be a betrayal of both our students and the taxpayers of California.

In 1993, the Academic Senate issued a report in which it rightly concluded, "athletics are �an expensive luxury in a comprehensive university� (Buzanski et al 1993, 12).  This sentence contains two telling words.  First, athletics are expensive.  Second, they are a luxury.  As a result, when SJSU undertakes the inevitable belt-tightening that will be required, it would be logical to make significant cuts in Athletics.  Unfortunately, the exact opposite is happening, and the problem is getting worse.  

Because of the state budget crisis and the massive budget cuts the university is experiencing, all Divisions of the university were ordered to take a 5.66% cut to their budget in AY 2003/04.  Only one Division of the University was immune -- Athletics.

Yes, you read that correctly:  the ONLY division of the university whose general fund budget was not cut in AY 2003/04 was Athletics. 

This is an increase that comes at the worst possible time � an increase that is taken directly from other, instructional needs.  This is money that could be used to educate our students. 

To be fair, the Division of Athletics did take a $82,000 cut the previous year.  Furthermore, the university has said that the DIA will receive a cut to its general fund budget of approximately $700,000 for AY 2004/05.