Such a plan costs a lot, and the department has already had to make some staff cuts. The Faculty of Arts and Sciences doesn't have money to burn. Knowles has already asked the Faculty to tighten their belts, reduce photo-copying and buy in bulk. It probably doesn't have a million dollars for a women's athletics program.
OPTION #3
The Axe Falls
PLUSES
If you can't add, subtract. Under this plan, the financially strapped Athletic Department would cut men's sports in order to free up money for women's teams and to achieve a greater overall balance in support between men's and women's teams.
In an interview with The Crimson last month, head foot ball coach Joe Restic predicted that such a plan would be necessary at many schools nationwide.
"You have to say, 'where's he money going to come from?" Restic says. "I think the [participation] percentage is a key factor... But some schools can't get to that because they don't have the resources, and where are you going to get them? Cut the sports. And that's what will happen."
MINUSES
Restic, mind you, doesn't necessarily think this is the answer Everyone hates cutting teams, and eliminating men's programs could have serious consequences, from student protests to alumni complaints to lawsuits.
The men's swim team at the University of Arkansas, which was cut under a plan to bring the school into compliance with Title IX, has already filed suit. They charge that the elimination of their program violated the equal protection under the law principle of the 14th Amendment.
OPTION #4
The Compromise
PLUSES
This is a slight variation on the Stanford plan The emphasis of this plan would be increasing participation Rudenstine's main concern while spending as little money as possible.
The keys to increasing participation are hiring more coaches and allocating more money to recruiting budgets to save money, some current coaches could be asked to take on extra duties with different sports during their off seasons.
The department could also take steps to eliminate non-financial discrepancies. Practice times can be changed. Small perks, like team photography, could be equalized across the entire department.
The benefits of this plan might be felt more in the junior varsity programs. Many men's and women's teams have basically the same number of athletes competing at the varsity level. It's on the JV level that discrepancies show up.
This could be a way out.
MINUSES
Compromises can please everyone, or no one. Women's coaches will love the expanded recruiting and more players, but would those opportunities be increased enough to keep women athletes from dropping out of Harvard sports?