The Future of University of Washington

This past week, UW President Mark Emmert announced that he would be resigning to take a position at the NCAA next fall. His announcement comes at a time when UW is in the midst of a bit of turmoil, where one third of the state-funded budget has been cut in the past year. President Emmert has been instrumental in fundraising efforts for the cash-strapped university and there are concerns over this loss as well as further anticipated budget cuts. He has also been a big advocate for the athletic program, instrumental in hiring top faculty as well as working towards making the UW an entrepreneurial university.

Where does the university go from here? Phillip Ballinger, VP for Enrollment and Admissions, estimates that a greater percentage of non-resident students will need to fill that financial gap. Currently 27% of those enrolled are non-resident but that number is projected to rise to 33% by 2015. Washington resident students pay $7,700 for tuition, while non-residents pay $24,400, nearly three times as much. These non-resident students will help subsidize the tuition of resident students.

According to The Seattle Times, there are a few other concepts being tossed around, in order to pay the bills. Starting this summer, UW will implement a new budgeting system where a student’s tuition goes directly to their college and state money will go to administrative costs. This could eventually lead UW to charge students more for certain programs and cut those that are too expensive to run. UW also hopes to attract more researchers and make it an inviting place for business – they are hoping to foster a relationship like Stanford has to Google, or the University of Florida and Gatorade.

There are big shoes to fill at UW and an uphill battle to meet the bottle line.

Budget Cuts Reach College Athletics

The economy has impacted college campuses across the nation in many ways. At some, budget shortfalls have eliminated arts programs, while at others, faculty and staff have been let go. Many more have seen their endowments shrink which has led to tough choices.

Think that college athletics are immune? You would guess wrong. With the economic turndown, more and more college athletic programs are dropping varsity sports.  You might even be surprised where it is happening and what sports are getting the big cut.

At the University of Washington men’s and women’s swimming teams have been eliminated and at the University of Massachusetts it’s their men’s and women’s ski teams, saving the University $100,000. Pepperdine has cut men’s track and Kutztown College has cut men’s swimming and soccer. Colorado College has cut football, softball and water polo and Johns Hopkins University has cut men’s and women’s crew.  Western Washington University has cut football and UC Irvine has cut swimming, rowing, diving and sailing. MIT seems to have experienced the largest cuts, eliminating ice hockey, skiing, gymnastics, shooting, golf and wrestling. The list goes on and on, and it seems that more are announced each day.

Some universities are cutting back in other ways, in order to save the programs.  Princeton will no longer print media guides, Washington State U will use buses for trips under 400 miles, and at the University of Miami, football players will have to get off the private jet and hop on the bus to play games in Florida.  Some universities, like Central Florida, are increasing student fees to help with budget woes.

Other are trying to boost their revenues to stay profitable. Corporate sponsorship will be seen at the Georgia Dome when Alabama plays Virginia Tech at the “new” Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in September. 

High school athletes should do some research to ensure that their program of choice is not in jeopardy.  Here today, gone tomorrow.