Coach Helfrich’s perverse academic incentives

He’s got some high-powered incentives to encourage his “student-athletes” to take gut courses with inflated grades. Too bad AD Rob Mullens didn’t consult with UO’s Intercollegiate Athletics Committee about the likely academic consequences – this is now locked in for many years. Full contract here. 1/24/2013.

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7 Responses to Coach Helfrich’s perverse academic incentives

  1. Anonymous says:

    What? Don’t you professors get paid on the basis of the number of A’s you give out? Honestly, I don’t see the problem here.

  2. Anonymous says:

    A special award should be given to any contributor to this blog who could come up with a Helfrich contract provision on this issue that would have attracted the support of UOMatters.

    • Anonymous says:

      Dog Says

      Simple. Stipulate in the contract that UO Matters will be provided single malts, aged at least 20 years, at the rate of one per week during Football season.

    • UO Matters says:

      Helfrich’s cash = c*(athlete-average) grades, where average is by department/major. Notice that this could be a negative number. Single malt would also work.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Over their head. They don’t even see the problem.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Wow! I’m speechless…

    (though I do wonder if the teachers of these gut courses are getting any kickbacks)

    • Anonymous says:

      You bet, the AD doles out “Football Coach of the Week” perks for compliant professors. Breakfast with the team, hang out in the locker room for the pep talk, and a special sidelines pass. All you gotta do in return is pass the players. It rocks.