Cuts in athletics may better serve academic needs of students

To the editor:

In response to the article "Athletics cuts get attention at SEMO meeting": I read with interest the comments that it might be necessary to cut men's golf and men's indoor track. Has anyone looked at how much is spent on men's football and basketball? It seems that golf and track share such a pittance of the athletic budget. If the administration is really sincere in trying to find cuts in order to provide a quality education to the students that attend SEMO, it will take a good look at football and basketball.

I'm sure that if football and basketball were cut and the $3.8 million university subsidy for the athletic program were used for the academics, the university would be a much better school.

I applaud Dr. David Cameron for his statement that the university does not exist to provide sports, but it does exist to provide a good academic education. I hope the administration will do the right thing and see that the young people who attend SEMO will continue to receive the education they deserve.

BARBARA LEESTAMPER

Waterloo, Iowa