Tublitz on Jock Box

8/9/2010: The Chronicle and several other papers quote Senate Pres Nathan Tublitz on the Jock Box:

Cost of U. of Oregon’s New Center for Athletes Draws New Debate Over Priorities

The $41.7-million cost of the University of Oregon’s new academic center for athletes prices out to more than $1,000 per square foot, about twice as much per square foot as Portland’s priciest condo buildings, according to The Oregonian. The John E. Jaqua Academic Center for Student Athletes, named for a founding board member of Nike and paid for by Philip H. Knight, the company’s chairman, has spurred controversy because of its opulence and exclusivity—most of it is off-limits to nonathletes. “Forty million dollars buys a lot of new faculty, reduced class sizes, better facilities for the rest of campus,” said Nathan Tublitz, a professor of biology and president of the University Senate who has previously criticized the role of athletics at the university. Phil Weiler, a university spokesman, countered that “the building was a gift,” and that donors decide where to direct their funds.

The truth is that nearly half of the cost came from taxpayers, because the gift was tax-deductible under the argument that it furthers UO’s academic purposes. Many universities use the “academic purposes” argument to tax athletic donations themselves, requiring that a certain percentage go to academic causes. But not UO. Frohnmayer approved the Jock Box despite substantial costs to the academic side.

Now Phil Knight is planning another similar egofice for the football coaches:

This new expansion would include space for a UO Football Hall of Fame and Museum, a covered parking facility for 300 cars, surface parking for 75 cars, a weight room of at least 20,000 square feet and space for a Duck Shop and ticket offices. In addition, the project would include construction of a new soccer and lacrosse complex after the existing one is moved.

But Phit’s gift does not come without costs. The license agreement requires the university to employ a facilities manager, museum curator, museum receptionist, food service administrator and a senior administrative assistant for football operations — all full time for at least six years. The university also would maintain the facilities, which could become costly. 

The RG says President Lariviere has already approved this:

“I’ve been told repeatedly since I’ve come here that there are coaches in what used to be closets and that sort of thing,” Lariviere said. “It does look to be pretty jammed up. I’m not sure that this would be absolutely the top priority for the university if we were having to pay for the building, but that’s another matter.” 

Actually, UO not only has the right to tax these sorts of donations, it has the duty to do so, because the IRS rules that allow our operations to be tax-exempt require that our non-academic enterprises benefit our academic purposes. This tax-exemption provides a huge benefit to the athletic side. At the moment the coaches have managed to capture every dime of it in higher salaries.