By Lindsey Besecker
Assistant Sports Editor
The current budget reallocation process has the potential to affect just about every aspect of Pepperdine – including the Athletics Department. Just like every other department on campus, officials at the Athletics Department have turned in their reallocation plan and are waiting for a decision to be made.
“ I’ve been asked to identify 3 to 5 percent of my budget for possible consideration for redistribution,” said Dr. John Watson, director of athletics. “I’ve been able to present the concept to the University budget committee without a significant impact on individual teams.”
There has not been much conversation in the department about the reallocation plan because it has not been determined yet whether the University will take any funds from the Athletics Department for reallocation.
“If the reallocation were accepted, the impact would primarily pertain to game operation, facilities management and general athletic administration,” Watson said. “It is my hope that the funding necessary to continue to operate at the level of success that we’ve grown accustomed to will be maintained through base budgets or increased efforts in fund raising.”
Watson did not go into detail about where the proposed cuts would be because the plan has not been approved yet, and he did not want to reveal specific details unless they are finalized. However, he made sure that funds did not come from any teams or coaches.
“When I put the numbers on the table, I didn’t take anything from the players or the coaches,” Watson said. “I can’t do that. I believe it is a strong University commitment to utilize athletics from a marketing perspective, as a visible sign to our commitment to excellence as an institution, to provide venues to bring various communities together, and to enhance the opportunity for students with athletic abilities to maximize their potentials.”
Senior men’s volleyball player Fred Winters said he had read about the budget reallocations, but he is not worried that it will affect the teams in any way. He said coaches have not talked about it.
“I’m not worried for next year,” Winters said. “I’m sure everyone feels confident (that the teams will not be affected).”
In the past, Watson said new funds have been invested directly in the teams. Examples include more travel money and additional training positions to ensure that athletes are kept healthy or treated properly for injuries.
“I’ve chosen not to worry (the players and coaches) about the process,” Watson said. “I believe the process is legitimate. I do think what the University is doing is wise.”
Sports fans may never even know the impact of the reallocation if funds are taken from the athletics department. Watson said there would be less service and longer hours within the department if the plan is passed. However, he does not think that things will change for his department. He, along with everyone else in other departments, will not know until the plan is finalized.
“I know that (the reallocation) was made a priority,” Associate Director of Athletics Roxanne Levenson said. “We are in support for what’s best for the university in general. It’s tough with the budgets that we have. Our budgets are a lot smaller than the institutions we compete with.”
The reallocation plan goes for approval before the Board of Regents in June, and none of the departments will know how they are affected until that day at the earliest.
Watson has also started work on the University Policy Committee. As a new member, he has only attended two meetings.
“The policy committee is being very strategic and very deliberate in its reallocation of University priorities,” Watson said. “The process is being handled appropriately.”
Everything is still very up in the air for every department. For the athletics department, the budget reallocation means some of its plans will have to be put on hold.
One part of the strategic plan for the department is to add another women’s team to the 16-team lineup. However, that does not look like it is something that will be accomplished in the near future.
“In the current budget scenario, there would not be adequate funding to properly start a new team,” Watson said. “It has been discussed in the University, but it has not reached a level of priority compared to other needs of the institution.”
Levenson said the budget cuts could affect Pepperdine teams because its budget is already smaller than other university teams it competes against. The difference in budgets, even without the cuts, does not create a sense of equity in a monetary sense among the teams.
“(The reallocation) would be very difficult on us because our budgets really aren’t sufficient for the level we compete at,” Levenson said. “I would not want it to affect student-athlete welfare or travel opportunities. It’s hard because we really need more, not less.”
The Athletic Department would not release any numbers regarding the budgets.
Even with the potential impact, Watson said he has not heard anyone complaining about the reallocation.
“I’ve shared my concepts with our athletic administration,” Watson said. “I’m not aware of any discussions going on or overall concern.
“We can live with whatever decision it is. Obviously we prefer to continue to move forward and grow. We will adjust to the institutional needs.”
Submitted April 1, 2004