40 Percent of Campus Master Plan
Going to 2 Percent of Students

Although student athletes make up about 2 percent of OSU’s student population, 38.2 percent of the money allocated for the five-year Campus Master Plan will go to the athletic village, the sports complex for athletes’ use.

Gary Shutt, director of communications, said although a slightly larger amount of money is going toward athletics than academics in the five-year plan, donors are simply giving their money where they see it’s needed.

“We’re having to play catch-up,” Shutt said. “Our athletic facilities are way below those of other Big 12 schools. Fortunately, we’ve had donors who’ve stepped up.”

…“Athletics are for all students, and when students go to games, it’s part of their OSU experience,” Shutt said. “While they may not actually be running on the track, they are still participating in athletics.”

…Allison Hechtner, elementary education freshman, said she thinks it is sad that donations to academics are sometimes overlooked in favor of athletic donations.

“I think the mission of the university has been distorted,” Hechtner said. “Instead of being based on academics, it’s now based on athletics and entertainment.”