LET'S TREAT THE PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT LIKE THE FOOTBALL TEAM - Paul Walker, Chronicle of Higher Ed

Just as the intangible value of a philosophy program to a university reflects a nonfinancial commitment to academic thought, there are intangible values to athletic endeavors, especially when opportunities for students to participate is expanded (for example, more intramural and club sports). Those of us on the academic side ask simply that the “spirit” of academic knowledge be recognized as viable and enriching without a reductive assessment of its full-time equivalents and numbers of majors, and that innovative ways to market academic programs be given the same resources that athletic departments receive for merchandise sales or recruiting athletes. Or, at least, that underperforming athletic teams not be considered essential to the face and mission of the university — and thus untouchable when state funding and tuition become ever more limited. http://chronicle.com/interactives/ncaa-subsidies-commentary