Using academic funding to pay stadium debt detracts from students’ academic experiences

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Using academic funding to pay stadium debt detracts from students’ academic experiences

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Allison Ryan

Staff

NOVEMBER 07, 2017

I am angry and horrified to hear that UC Berkeley is planning to use academic-designated funds to pay down the Memorial Stadium debt. I’ve been donating to UC Berkeley every year since I graduated, with the hope of helping support its excellent students and academic reputation. It’s the little bit I can do to help bridge the gap between the cash-strapped UC Berkeley experience and what the campus’s high-caliber students could be experiencing at a better-funded private school.

The thought of taking money from already underfunded academic programs and giving it to football makes me sick. Football is a sideshow for the entertainment of wealthy alumni donors. The gameday experience isn’t even aimed toward students any more; it’s meant for TV revenue and VIP boxes. This decision makes me seriously rethink whether to donate to UC Berkeley in the future.

Allison Ryan is a UC Berkeley alumna.

LAST UPDATED

NOVEMBER 06, 2017

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Campus

NOVEMBER 02, 2017

UC Berkeley chancellor proposes taking on some Cal Athletics debt in exchange for developing on Edwards Stadium

Carol Christ proposed the campus take on the portion of Cal Athletics’ debt stemming from the seismic costs of the 2012 renovation of California Memorial Stadium.