UA Faculty Senate is considering a motion to recognize former UA football coach Dick Tomey for his team's higher graduation rates.

The Faculty Senate should not pass this motion.

Such a motion purports that Dick Tomey is solely responsible for the academic success of his team members, when in reality many factors lead to the higher graduation rate. As law professor and Sen. Andrew Silverman pointed out, "A lot of faculty members have a lot to do with graduation rates."

Clearly the Faculty Senate is attempting to recognize an athletic program that is also academically successful, perhaps to urge overall academic improvement among athletes. This is obviously an important goal, for too often poor academic performance among athletes is overlooked, or deemed an acceptable reality.