Faculty and staff have expressed widespread frustration and resentment over the Athletic Department's deficit spending amid universitywide budget cuts, according to a warning sent to top administrators by the Chairs and Director's Council.
The council, comprised of about 30 faculty members who lead schools and departments, sent the warning in an e-mail Feb. 10.
Ohio University routinely has allowed its Athletic Department to overspend its budget, while forcing other units to spend less simultaneously. In recent years, the Athletics Department has run up a $7.5 million deficit, about a third of OU's structural deficit.
OU expects to cut $13.75 million from next year's budget. Athletics has been given a 7.62 percent cut preliminarily.
The council wrote there is an expectation that (Athletics)ICA will once again be protected this year while other academic and non-academic units are cut
and that such a choice could have a very negative impact on faculty morale.
The faculty members also agreed Athletics has costs and benefits for the university that are, complex subtle and difficult to quantify.
The e-mail was to inform the president and provost of the group's consensus and did not ask top administrators to take a specific action.
Becky Watts, chief of staff to OU President Roderick McDavis, said McDavis appreciates the feedback and will consider all input while he makes budget decisions.
Pam Benoit, executive vice president and provost, also will consider the e-mail when she makes budget decisions, according to her office.
It's not clear how much influence the e-mail will have.
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Emily Grannis
