UT president: Cutting programs was necessary

[tnfarmer]

Okay, I know that what I am about to state will result in me catching h*** from many... so with that said here we go.

Before UT cuts any area that is providing a valuable service to the community, such as the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, the sports program should be cut first. The sports program is an overhead activity and adds to the budget requirements for the university. The university is a state-funded (i.e., TN taxpayer funded) organization and the University of Tennessee's primary goal is to educate students. Sports should be a secondary function and only be supported as long as it does not impact student education. Only once all sports programs have been terminated - then and only then should any education program or department be cut due to budget issues.

Okay... I am ready now for the rocks. 

[TLC1ST]

Why should you get any flack.Its true.

[MomOf2]

I wonder how the college needs to cut funds when that stadium is sold out years in advance. Tickets are expensive and I understand the there is overhead that goes along (labor, food, electricity and the like) but between the parking fees and the sold out 100k+ seats...where the heck is all that money going?
Maybe it's the 2.something million dollar salary ol' fulmer makes...still that stadium brings that in during one game.....
seems like ALL schools cut the arts, community services and music before they cut sports...just a sad fact.
didn't they print something last week about a close to 10% rate hike? where's that going?

[TLC1ST]

between the parking fees and the sold out 100k+ seats...where the heck is all that money going?

It goes back into the sports program.They figure it would be a waste to put any of it into education,and from hearing the people in sports programs talk(Football players.Basketball players etc)I figure they are probably right!

[JosephBaileyOne]

The Athletics program is self-supporting, it does not get money from the budget.  All of those media contracts, concession sales, ticket sales, so forth, that is how the Athletics here and at almost every Division I school gets their money. 

Let me add here too that thanks to Title IX, and I am talking about right now and not the past, it is of supreme importance that football succeed at Division I schools.  It is because the proceeds from the usually very profitable football programs underwrite women's sports.  I think the UT Lady Vols are one of like five programs in women's sports nationwide that actually pays for itself.  All others are underwritten by men's sports revenue.  This is mandated by the feds Title IX program.  So, when we all see UT promote Fulmer and his convicts, they are doing it, in large part, to be able to offer women's sports and not be in violation of Title IX because the reality of Big Orange football is that it underwrites every other sports (both sexes) except Men's basketball and the Lady Vols.  I mean, even the baseball team gets a share of the football revenue.  Thus, if a person believes in women's sports, they should push for massive attendance and sales of merchandise, tickets by the fans or be at every football game.  Warped I know but that is the truth of it.

[tnfarmer]

JosephBaileyOne.... sorry but I have to disagree - the sports program IS NOT self-supporting and IT DOES get money from the school budget.

From UT's own revised 2008 budget (http://budget.tennessee.edu/docs.html), here are the headings from the Athletic Revenues:

General Funds, Student Fees, Athletic Fees, Ticket Sales, NCAA Conference Tournaments, Game Guarantees, Gifts, Licensing Fees, Sports Camps, Other*

The first three headings come from the state funding and student fees. These three items account for $13,335,502 of the total budget of $96,201,392 or 13.8%. For 2008, the expected expenditures from the same budget report was $96,239,913, which produces a shortfall of $38,521. This shortfall would have to come from the UT "rainy day" fund, which again comes from state funding and student fees.

In addition, if you look real close to this detailed budget sheet, there is no detailed breakdown to show accounting for costs such as electricity, groundskeeping, building maintenance, janitorial, payback for athletic program exclusive facilities (stadium, dorm, inside practice facilities, exercise room, etc.), or travel (hotel, bus, airline, meals, etc.). Because of this, no one can guarantee these costs are not obsorbed elsewhere instead of being accounted for in the athletic budget.

So the UT Athletic Program DOES NOT pay its way and is an overhead activity!! 

[smoky7]

   The State has too many employees but if you start cutting you will hurt the Tennessee Economy.  Rdeuctions can be made by simple attrition.   Centralize staffing and remove duplication as workforce rightsizes.

[TLC1ST]

Yes,What you said.

[smoky7]

During what is described as tough times at the University, the building rolls on.  The majority of the UT employees do not get a raise.  What happens when you build and build and no one can afford to attend?  The football coach gets a raise and contract extension.    Most UT employees are told the University is going through tough times and to make do and be happy.  They will but who believes the top managers at UT are not getting raises during these tough days.  TV6, why don't you ask? 

[TLC1ST]

A very good point,and a good idea,but they will find ways to justify what they are doing.