As I sit in an uncomfortable chair on a raised counter in the undergraduate library (the UGLI), facing the worst color concrete wall I could imagine, I wonder, why is there not a better place for me to study? It's finals week here at the U (and I'm procrastinating on MGoBlog, what do you expect?), and there isn't ample space for everyone to be studying at once. The overflow from the filled libraries packs the local coffee shops and even there it is difficult to find a good study spot. My first thought was that it is ridiculous to expect the University to provide space for all of its students during finals. After all, there are only ten days out of the school year, at most, during which students would fill the given locations around town.
    But wait! What's that you say?
    The University is in the middle of a nine-figure renovation project to a facility that is only used eight times year, if it's lucky? I didn't even know about that. I guess they care more about athletics, huh? But I'm a student who plans on going to law school, making bank, and giving a lot back to the school. If I can possibly pay my ever-mounting loans back, that is. Why don't they invest in my well-being instead of a bunch of football players, most of whom won't play professionally anyway?
    Oh! Really? The University makes more money off the football team? Shut Up! Athletics ended last year with a surplus?
    Obviously there's a decent amount of sarcasm floating around here, the main point being that I think a University of this caliber and relatively progressive minded administration has what it takes to use some of the athletic budget elsewhere. If you haven't heard, some promises have been broken recently. That, combined with Mary Sue's opposition to the State Legislature's cutting of the Michigan Promise Scholarship, points towards a possible remedy, which I propose should be a commitment of aid from the Athletic Department.
    In times like these, successful organizations need to step up in order to stop the bleeding. The financial prosperity of Michigan sports will not continue in isolation. In other words, the state's economic plight has the strength to bring the Big House attendance numbers down with it. The best way to ensure a turnaround is for increased investment from Athletics into the student body and their financial aid. This is something I am sure Martin's replacement could address, but won't.