MLaw06

Beginning in 2013, the Priority Points system will be modified to give more points to Michigan alums and athletes.  Specifically, the priority points for one alumnus(a) will increase from 5 points to 20 points and the priority points for one athlete will increase from 10 points to 40 points.  Alumni couples and athlete couples may combine their points to a max of 40 points and 80 points for each such category, respectively. [Chart below highlights these changes (note: an athlete is also assumed to be an alum for purposes of the calculations below).  The plus numbers are netted as compared to current point values for their respective categories.]

This will cause significant priority point inflation for alums and athletes (and conversely, depreciation for non-alums and non-athletes).  The magnitude of this change can be extrapolated into dollars by converting 1 point to $100 (i.e., which is the conversion rate based on direct donations to Michigan Athletics), which results in a net benefit to single alums in the amount of $1,500... and to athlete/alum couples of $9,000, etc.

Given that the current (as of 2012 based on the Michigan website) median for priority points is 21.2, this is a huge change.

What are your thoughts re: whether this is an appropriate change to properly value a Michigan degree and/or varsity athletic involvement?  Does this unfairly affect the Michigan fans who are not alums?