'The unkind truth is that the sort of vibrant, high-profile athletics program that would transform the campus attitude would cost far more than undergraduates are willing to pony up. At some point, if UCSD is truly dedicated to an athletics program that fully engages the campus community, the school's administrators and faculty will have to bite the bullet and allocate their own funds to the athletic department, which means tough compromises all around. And that will only come about if the ball of financial responsibility is dropped squarely in the court of UCSD's administration and faculty.

It's something of a wonder that UCSD is able to field the variety and quality of teams that it does, given the department's shoestring budget. A "no" vote on the fee referendum - athletics advisers have warned - may mean the death of several UCSD intercollegiate teams. It's a shame that dedicated athletes could be left out in the cold, but the long-term financial health of the athletic department is at stake, and without at least a modicum of support from the other key players on campus, athletics programs will continue to find themselves in the hole.

Somewhat paradoxically, whether you support UCSD athletics or not, a "no" vote on this January's fee referendum is the only choice.'