What was once a nearly $7.5 million budget hole has been sliced to a $900,000 deficit by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, according to a report given to the Board of Trustees yesterday.
I've always been a believer that what makes a university great is the composition of all of the separate parts
and athletics is one of those parts Athletics Director Jim Schaus told the board's academics committee.
Athletics has come under fire in recent years for consistently operating at a deficit while academic units are forced to make budget cuts. The department, which comprises 16 sports, operates with an $18.7 million budget - $91 thousand less than last year.
Faculty Representative David Thomas reiterated that concern and asked if Schaus would be open to splitting money raised by athletics with academic units - similar to the fundraising system at The Ohio State University.
The faculty are concerned that we're going to have to be looking at each other and talking about development Thomas said.
Although he acknowledged the importance of academic fundraising, Schaus refused to agree to force donors to split money given to athletics with academic units.
When we get territorial
the donor says
'It's my money
I'll decide where to give it
' Schaus said.
Schaus blamed the department's deficit on a lack of investment in athletics over time but noted that OU provides less funding for athletics than any of its institutional peers and provides the fourth least amount of athletic funding of all Mid-American Conference schools.
I can't imagine a major university without athletics
said Yvette McGee Brown, the most recent addition to the board, adding she is encouraged that the department is working towards more self-sufficiency.
What is our plan to go after some of those major athletes
or are we going to be in a constant budget debate? she said.
The department cut four sports in 2007 - men's indoor and outdoor track, men's swimming and diving and women's lacrosse.
This year, the athletic department cut about $700,000 in expenses and eliminated 10 staff positions, Schaus said, adding that 95 percent of Division I athletics departments operate at a deficit.
We went through and made significant reductions
one of the largest reductions on campus on a percentage base
Schaus said.
Schaus noted that the department has completed 85 percent of action items in its five-year strategic plan.
The five-year plan, which began in May 2008, lists five priorities: academic excellence, competitive success, program integrity, external outreach and value to the university and community.
-This article originally stated the 2008-09 athletics budget as $11.4 million. The Post regrets the error.
