Cuts in athletic scholarships and aid being considered

Lafalum · Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 843

I didn't want to put this out until I was sure. I heard about it from a first hand VERY senior source during the week and it was confirmed to me yesterday.
There is no shared sacrifice. This fat pampered faculty and bloated administration don't understand the concept. There are no hiring freezes of faculty or cuts in administration.
WE ARE CONSIDERING CUTTING ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS AT LEAST 5% for the class entering 2010. Meaning Fran and Tammy will be the only coaches in Div 1 offering partial scholarships. The coaches have been told not to make offers until further notice. There will also be a cut in athletic related need based aid which will effect Frank and a mandatory reduction in squad size for 2010!!
It is not written in stone yet but they will meet with BOT soon where it will be asked!! This cut will not even be effective for the next budget!! It is sop for the faculty.... to say they are doing it....since the money saved is small compared to size of the problem!! The problem is our coaches are out there now lining up recruits for 2010!! By July they should be making offers.
I know I will get my head handed to me for the next sentence but I called some members of the Executive Committee of the Maroon Club, they have had no meetings since the fall. This is emerging as the most serious attack, since 2000, on athletics and the president of the Maroon Club Phil Ng is missing in action. I can understand Scott Morse (Executive Director of the Maroon Club) not wanting to get involved, he is after all an employee. Not so with Phil!!!

carney2 · Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 1174

I understand that these are tough times. I understand that the College is not in the business of fielding athletic teams. I understand that if there truly is a lack of common sacrifice as you describe, then President Weiss is digging himself quite a hole with a very important segment of his constituency.

seenalot · Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 305

If this (specifically - cutting athletic budgets but NOT faculty or adm salaries) turns out to be true, the bequeath I made in my Will plus my annual giving is about to be changed.

They can certainly buy what they want, hire who they want and pay what they want - but I will not support a disproportionate cut in an area I specifically want to donate to. And if there is ANY risk my instructions result in a revenue neutral decision re: athletic funding - instead of ADDING to amounts allocated to sports then all the more reason to say "I'm done".

TheRock90 · Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 216 Location: Easton

I think you are on to something seenalot. Its apparently the only language they understand.

carney2 · Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 1174

I will need to know the precise status of this "revenue neutral" situation before renewing Maroon Club and related contributions.

seenalot · Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 305

Correct - dont want to base donation on hypothetical raised on a discussion board. Simply saying if/then to that and comment about faculty and adm not taking salary cuts. Would like to understand how I can get to a truthful answer on either.

Lafalum · Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 843

ranger · Joined: 29 Aug 2007 Posts: 74

Lafalum- Phil Ng is clearly MIA. Let's call a meeting of concerned alumni- Bourger, Fisher, Kamine, Oaks, Kirby, Zipple, etc. with Friends presidents and present a united front.

Lafalum · Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 843