To the Editor:
I applaud the College administration for their humility in rethinking their initial shortsighted and potentially disastrous decision to sink the aquatics program. My hope is that they will similarly rethink the underlying notion that athletic programs are a discretionary expense item to be phased in or out based on business cycles -- a notion that unfortunately could manifest itself in the future.
Even focusing on economic impact alone, which overlooks numerous key benefits of athletic participation, cutting longstanding programs almost perfectly exemplifies the "penny wise, pound foolish" cliche. I can scarcely think of an administrative outlay that inspires greater loyalty to the College, which directly translates to future gift giving. The alumni, parents and other friends that collectively saved the program are a testament to this fact.
