Athletics gives academics $15 million over 15 years

Faced with the largest budget crisis in recent years, university officials scratched their heads over Christmas break, unsure of how to deal with the cuts that will affect the university at almost every level.

The situation improved Dec. 23, when the university's athletics department donated $15 million to the university's academic budget. The money will be given over a period of 15 years.

Earlier this year, the Southeastern Conference worked out its largest television contract ever with ESPN, giving USC athletics more money than expected. The annual multi-million dollar television contract guarantees ESPN certain rights to SEC sporting events.

Concerned over a shortfall in the academic budget, USC President Harris Pastides approached Athletics Director Eric Hyman and asked him to share the funding with the university.

"Based on the historic contract negotiated with ESPN, we thought that this great deal ought to be used in the university's time of need," Pastides said. "This will not only meet athletic needs, but academic needs as well."

The move wasn't forced upon the athletic department, though, Pastides said.

"I don't mean to give anyone the impression that there was arm twisting involved," Pastides said. "This is money that was earned by the athletics department, but we're all one university."

Hyman said he agrees.

"All of us want Carolina to remain a strong flagship university because every department, including athletics, benefits," Hyman said during the December press conference. "I am proud to help students whose unshakable loyalty and enthusiasm to our teams motivate our players and coaches alike. This is our way to be supportive and give back to the university for students of need."

At least half, or $7.5 million dollars, will be given to student financial aid funds within the university, said Ted Moore, interim provost at the university.

Much of the financial aid funding will go into the Gamecock Guarantee program, which helps students with families that make less than $25,000 a year to attend college.

"It will allow more students to stay in college and others to matriculate here that might not otherwise," Pastides said. "Beyond that, it's probably a factor in determining where tuition will be set in the future. The demand for that program has strengthened greatly with the recent downturn in the economy."

Pastides said tuition increase decisions haven't been made yet, but there is a possibility of a moderate increase for the upcoming academic year.

For faculty and staff, this news doesn't help. Annual raises will not be given with the additional funds. New professors or faculty will not be hired with the money either, Pastides said, nor will additional services or programs be created by the university.

Graduate students will see the benefits of the historic donation, Moore said.

"Our graduate students, like students at other universities, should be supported with stipends," Moore said. "This donation will help us to do that."

Also, the amount of money students must pay for health insurance as graduate students will hopefully decrease with the donation, Moore said.

Overall decisions on next year's budget haven't been made yet, Pastides said, but meetings between university officials will occur frequently within the next few weeks. The university will announce changes in the spring once it understands exactly how much money it will have at its disposal.

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