College priorities need rearranged

By: Erin Floro

A letter to the editor in the Des Moines Register expresses my exact opinion regarding priorities of colleges.

A. Frank Thompson, a University of Northern Iowa professor, claims that more emphasis is placed on sports than academics.  

At UNI, faculty received zero percentage increase in salaries this year due to lack of funds.  Yet, the football coach was awarded a raise.  

The Des Moines Register featured an article on the arrest of two of the school's top athletes. Just a week before, 23 students and faculty had been recognized by Omicron Delta Kappa for outstanding achievements in the community, both as scholars and leaders.  Where was the media coverage?

Professor Thompson also points out that UNI gives more full time scholarships to athletes than it does to students for academics.  I believe this happens at all colleges, both public and private (even though the privates claim they don't give athletic scholarships).  I don't think this will ever change.