41 Monday, July 14, 2008 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com htfrc it an tu Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan since 1890. 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 tothedaily@umich.edu GARY GRACA KATE TRUESDELL MANAGING EDITOR EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR EMMARIE HUETTEMAN EDITOR IN CHIEF NOTABLE QUOTABLE Like Bush's economy? Hire McCain." - Signs of protesters outside of the Bayloff Stamped Products plant in Van Buren Township, where Sen. John McCain delivered a speech last Thursday. KATE TRUESDELL A third chair I Unsigned editorials reflectlthe officialpositionof the Daily's editorialboard. All other signed articles and illustrations represent solely the views of their authors. A bad call on bad behavior 'U' fumbles by agreeing to pay Rodriguez's fees Based on the short amount of time he's been with the University, it appears Rich Rodriguez's name is "trouble." The Athletic Department's problem child made headlines again last week when an out-of-court settlement determined that the Wolverines' new head football coach would have to pay $4 million for breaking his con- tract with his former employer, West Virginia University. That would have been all well and good, perhaps even karmic retribution for bad behavior - that is, if the University hadn't stepped in and agreed to help foot the bill. Indicative of the continued overem- phasis on athletics, lack of Athletic Department oversight and just plain irresponsible spending, there's no doubt about it: This call wasdefinitely foul. The University has promised to shell out $2.5 million of the $9 million the newest head coach is obligated to pay, and as agreed to cover his legal fees. That rep- resents a hefty chunk of change, money that could have been bet- ter spent on - well, actually, pretty much anything else. . Rodriguez made a choice to walk away from his contract with West Virginia, and lots of other coaches who have been in his position have chosen to stay put rather than fork over money for big buyout clauses. Rodri- guez should have expected that if he did choose to leave, he would have to pay. If he wasn't willing to, he shouldn't have signed with the Wolverines. On the Athletic Department's end, it shouldn't have hired him if it knew it might have to make this kind of expensive compromise. If the Athletic Department had millions lying around, burn- ing a hole in its pocket, it could have put the -money toward an endless list of more productive things - like creating more varsity sports teams, for exam- ple. The University trails other schools, boasting only 26 varsity teams compared to similar uni- versities like Ohio State Univer- sity which has 37. Historically, financial strains have been used to justify this low number; it's certainly not a lack of demand. There are teams in the wings waiting. Lacrosse, for example, has long been vying for varsity recognition. Even if the department couldn't have found ways to spend the money internally, the University sure could have. The Athletic Department - which has a budget separate from the rest of the University's general fund - has, in recent years, turned a profit and gave some of that money back to the Univer- sity. Last year, for example, the department gave $1.5 million to the general fund for need- based financial aid. Though the department is not under any obligation to give money to the general - fund, undergraduate students now facing a 5.6-per- cent tuition increase probably would have better appreciated the financial aid Rodriguez's buyout could have funded. The whole situation is indica- tive of the University's jumbled priorities. The fact that the Ath- letic Department is ina position to give money to the University at all is largely due to big licens- ing deals and vender contracts. Hiring a coach already under contract wasn't the classi- est move; using money earned through fat contracts to pay for his buyout is unacceptable. All signs point to the fact that college sports, including the University's program, are being pushed to levels of commercial- ization that should be raising some skeptical eyebrows. And the fact that the Athletic Department could get away with stealing a coach, dragging the University through an unnec- essary ordeal and paying mil- lions in the process is telling of another problem: lack of over- sight by the University. Though the department may be sepa- rate, the University should still slap its wrists when it makes poor choices like this one. While Obama and McCain will go to the mats about issues like health care and energy policy, one thing they've probably never had to raise a ruckus about is whether or not their names will appear on the ballot. But that was one source (of many) of heated discussion at the Green Party's national convention this weekend in Chicago, where the party nominated Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente as its presidential and vice presiden- tial candidates. Regardless of whether or not you agree with the party's poli- cies, there's no denying it: This party is different. Most notably, the convention provided a forum for voices typi- cally unheard on issues - like bal- lot access - you won't likely hear talked about in other places. It's unlikely, for example, that you'dseeaworkshopentitled"The Endless War and the Military- Industrial-Governmental Com- plex" at the Republican National Convention or find Dems holding a session entitled "What to say when you're called a spoiler." It's great that these issues are getting attention; that means the Greens are doing their job as a third-party watchdog. But wouldn't it be even better if this was happening notjust one week- end a year in a cramped con- EditorialBoard Members: Elise Baun, Anindya l3hadra, Harun Buljina, Robert Soave ference room but every day in Washington? And why do we fear voting for the parties that can make that happen? McKinney, in her acceptance speech, characterized public poli- cy as being decided at a table that, right now, has two chairs pulled up to it. And, as she so aptly put it, "with that 5 percent, we can pull up another chair at the table of public policy." People may accuse third par- ties of being fringe groups of delu- sional radicals, but the picture at the convention was very dif- ferent. Though the party would never admit it isn't -fully com- mitted to taking the Oval Office, it has also set the slightly more attainable goal for itself of getting 5 percent of the vote in the gen- eral election. That amount could critically change how the party is recognized. If you already have your can- didate, that's fine. But if you feel like Obama and McCain don't represent you, don't just not vote. All that apathy breeds is stagna- tion. Voting for the underdog is better than throwing away'your vote. Even if you don't agree with the party's platform, still con- sider voting Green. They have a plan - not to usurp power but to upend the pattern that has left you wihoutmore choices. LETTERS * Readers are encouraged to submit letters to the editor. Please include the writer's name, college and class standing or other University affili- ation. Send letters to: tothedaily@umich.edu. a 0