National championships, top recruits, new coaches, millions in renovations: these are the words I hear associated with the University of Kentucky. As a student I have to ask, Is this what makes a university?
In the uncertain economic times in which we live is this where our focus should be? As a non-traditional student, (I have been outside the school walls and had real jobs with real responsibilities) maybe I have a better understanding of how the world works than your average 18-22-year-old student.
What I can assure you of is this: the amount of national championships your school has won is not going to bolster your resume in the future. In a time when the university has laid off personnel and professors, is it economically sound or even morally right to spend millions on a football team?
These people who lost their jobs, their ways of life, are now effectively being told, “Sorry but you’re not worth as much as a winning record.”
This university was founded on the pursuit of knowledge. I believe it to be an atrocious indictment of our system when we sit idly by while our educators are sent packing for the pursuit of sports.
Are our educators of “thousands” not worth more than coaches of “tens?”
As a student I enjoy the sporting events of our school as much as anybody, and I would be lying to say that I didn’t enjoy it more when we were winning. However, there comes a time when you have to grow up and realize why we are here.
These games are just that, games. They are pastimes to be enjoyed when the work is done.
I believe it is time for us as students (those of us here searching for a degree in something other than pro sports) to take a stand.
The university needs to know we are tired of losing our professors, taking budget cuts on educational materials, tuition hikes and boarding increases, all for the sake of wasteful spending on games.
Thomas Kelsay is a sustainable agriculture junior. Email opinions@kykernel.com.
For someone who ‘has a better understanding of how the world works’ you sure don’t know much about how athletic budgeting works.
Do your research before you write in. As Taylor is I’m sure eluding too, UK’s ateletics department is self-sustaining. No tuition money or other University revenue is given to athletics. In fact, the athletics department is about to fund an Arts and Sciences building which is practically unheard of.
You’re kidding, right? You must not have read the same press release I did. Construction is already underway for new residence halls and will begin soon for new academic buildings to be completed in 2015. The academic buildings are going to be funded in large part by our ATHLETIC department. At some universities, you’re right, the academic money shouldn’t be spend on athletic interests. However, at UK, where our athletic department is COMPLETELY self-sufficient, your argument is invalid. The possibility of a new academic building wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for the success of our sports teams.
retard