By
Shana Heiser
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Dept. of Intercollegiate Athletics opposes policy, Likins questions effects also
The athletic corporate logo policy is still being discussed in the University Committee on Corporate Relations with a new chairman, English professor and Faculty Senate Chair Jerry Hogle, at the head.
Although the policy was presented at November's Faculty Senate meeting, the January meeting to vote on it was canceled.
"The proposal may or may not be modified, but it is not dead and is still open to discussion," Hogle said.
The University Committee on Corporate Relations presented the policy to the Faculty Senate. In late October, former chairman Tom Davis said allowing athletes to choose whether or not to wear logos showed the University of Arizona's commitment to student athletes.
Not all committee members understood the policy, Hogle said, so he withdrew the item, and it will be discussed later this month in the next UCCR meeting.
"President (Peter) Likins did warn me that he was worried about the policy as it might have been proposed to the Senate and might have to deny approval if the Senate passed it," Hogle said.
"That was not my main reason for requesting the withdrawal. I found out about the President's concerns after Davis asked me to withdraw the item."
Students Against Sweatshops members have speculations as to why the policy was suddenly pulled from the agenda, though.
Spokeswoman Rachel Wilson said Likins' opposition may have influenced the other senate members, even though his opinion is separate of their vote.
"If the Faculty Senate wants to pass it, the Faculty Senate wants to pass it," Wilson said. "Whether Likins then vetoes it is a completely separate issue."
Opinions have changed among the senators since the last policy discussion - specifically, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA) stated its opposition to the policy in a Dec. 8 memorandum.
"This proposed amendment creates a policy...with a potential financial disaster and creates a non-competitive environment that precludes Arizona Athletics from developing to its potential," the memorandum stated.
Wilson sums up the ICA's apprehension in passing the policy.
"They are trying to say that if this policy passes, that will mean an end to sports at UA," she said.
Though no one in the athletic department has verified how much Nike gives UA to put their logo on athletes' uniforms, the ICA's memorandum states the Uniform and Equipment contract "saves the department from funding approximately $1.2 million."
Each student athlete costs the athletic department $60,000 - meaning the current contract funds 20 student athletes annually, according to the ICA.
"The Nike contract is for $7 million - where does the rest of the money go?" Wilson said. "I don't know if they understand how little funding they're actually getting from this contract."
Davis stepped down as UCCR chairman because his responsibilities as a pharmacology professor increased substantially, so Hogle took up the position himself, he said.
"I decided that I should not be rushed into naming a new chair," Hogle said.
Davis could not be reached for comment.
Hogle's term as Faculty Senate chair ends April 30, and he said he wants the next chair to have the opportunity to appoint a permanent UCCR chair.
"Since I'm responsible for it, I thought it would help for now to chair the Committee myself," Hogle said. "There can still be a nomination process, which I will discuss with the Committee."
