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Board Endorses Elimination of Three Sports |
| By
Tobin J. Klinger |
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Apr 30, 2003 |
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Moments after President Dan Johnson outlined the reasons for the discontinuation of three sports, student and alumni concerns about the cuts came to a head, as an alum speaking on behalf of the athletes attempted to force the board of trustees to hear his concerns.
In his regular remarks Johnson said, “These two factors, the need to reduce expenditures in athletics and the requirement to comply with Title IX, led to the decision.”
Joan Uhl Browne, chair of the board, amplified the need and said, “It is clear that these cuts will and must be made.”
But as the board entertained a motion to endorse the president’s report, Kevin Bush, a 1993 alumnus and former swim team captain, attempted to interrupt the proceedings and present a proposal purporting to restore the swimming program without cost to the University. However, the trustees opted to maintain standard practice and declined to hear from Bush. Ultimately, the board was forced to take a recess to diffuse the situation.
“We came here to be heard today and apparently that’s not going to happen,” said Bush as trustees and administrators exited the room.
“It has always been the position of the board that we are not a hearing body,” said Dan Brennan, vice chair of the board.
Johnson met with representatives from the men’s swim team on April 25 to receive and consider their proposal, but he said that it does not provide a viable solution.
“I personally met with representatives and weighed their proposal against the outcome of cutting these sports,” said Johnson. “But as hard as it is, the University must stand by this difficult decision.”
Following the recess, the board voted unanimously to endorse the president’s report, including the discontinuation of men’s swimming, men’s indoor track and field and men’s outdoor track and field.
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