Think higher education > athletics? Help prove how many of us are content with defunding the entire PSU athletics program as a method of handling the projected $15 million shortfall to PSU's general overhead budget this year.

This year, PSU is projected to endure a $15 million shortfall to its general overhead budget. This is happening because the over the past five years, the cost of wages, PEBB and PERS have gone up by nearly $47 million. Those increases were offset by an increase in income from tuition and fees of $47 million. But over the same time period, state funding has decreased by $15 million, leaving an ongoing structural shortfall.

The elimination of athletics simply would free up more money. An estimated $2,265,445 would be saved from the general overhead budget and $3,702,909 would be saved from student fees and able to be reallocated. If PSU's athletics program receives no funding, not only would PSU be able to significantly account for the general overhead budget shortfall, other vital University areas such as professors (AAUP-PSU), Campus Rec, Smith Memorial Student Union, SALP, etc. will have a better opportunity to sustain and/or improve funding without increasing tuition and fee costs for students.

With this news, PSU's administration is reconsidering their priorities and goals as a university. Here are key reasons why PSU should defund the athletics program:

It's an efficient method of handling this deficit. PSU athletics gets funded through various sources. 25% of total student fees allocated went to PSU’s athletics department this year. What’s the student fee? Any person who is currently enrolled for one or more credit hours at PSU pays it. Student fees are used to fund university programs and services that, in addition to the traditional academic elements of the university, further the cultural or physical development of the students at large. What does this have to do with PSU athletics? If PSU cut spending on the entire athletics program, not only could PSU save several million from the general funds budget, there would be money saved in other areas that could go towards improving fee-funded areas (Campus Rec, Smith Memorial Student Union, SALP, Cultural Centers, etc.)



Athletics expenses > revenue. Last year, PSU athletics spent $447,000 more than it gained in revenue. From a business model, PSU athletics does not develop enough revenue to break even. The university has to take a hit to keep the program alive. That's due to a lot of things, such as...



Audience. Ask a student and discover how the majority of the 28,000+ students enrolled have not attended or participated in an athletics event. PSU's athletics marketing department decided to give free food at games, maybe because attendance was low. Without athletics, the university would have more money to ensure they can provide what every student enrolls for, an education. Cutting PSU athletics will benefit the majority of PSU students.



Academic integrity. A study shows that when U of O's football team were winning, students celebrated more and grades suffered. Developing a more popular athletic program may damage PSU’s academic progress and goals. <!--EndFragment-->



Unlikely development. In order to develop a profitable athletic program, it will take plenty of additional money and time. In order to recruit better athletes, increase revenue, and improve facilities for athletics, more money that PSU doesn’t have will be required.



Facilities. Despite plans for the Viking Pavilion, PSU will still be constrained by facilities. There’s only one field on campus, the Peter Stott field. Students can’t play soccer or ultimate Frisbee when they choose because the Peter Stott field is often reserved for practices and club sports. For example, the football and softball team practice on the same field, even though there isn’t a softball diamond. Having only one field to meet the demand of all campus activities proves that Portland State wasn't prepared for a large athletics program. PSU's campus can feasibly only grow vertically. How can an athletics program sustain or improve with such constraints? What do the other athletic oriented Oregon universities have? Several fields and facilities that adequately meet all university demands.



Marketing. A large reason to why PSU has an athletics program is because it’s utilized as a marketing tool. Yet, developing national recognition for PSU’s brand doesn't have to incorporate an athletics program. Funding for a program that mostly all other large Universities have doesn't uniquely market Portland State University. PSU sets itself apart from all of the other Oregon universities for one reason alone: the city of Portland. Students attend PSU to integrate into the city more than the campus. PSU could benefit by marketing itself as university that's focused towards a student's academic success and intellectual stimulation through engagement with the city.



Momentum. Wim Wievel has already acknowledged that PSU can no longer afford to subsidize the football program from the university's annual general operating fund. Lets continue preserving funds for PSU without raising tuition for students through continuing Wiewel's actions towards defunding PSU athletics.

For more information and explanation, visit: http://psuvanguard.com/opinion/defunding-athletics-prioritizing-academics/