Should college athletic departments be self-sustaining?

The University of Iowa Athletics Department already supports itself through ticket sales, donations and conference-related revenue.

The state Board of Regents next week in a telephonic meeting will consider a resolution directing Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa to substantially reduce or eliminate general fund subsidies from the university budgets to their respective athletics departments. Information for the Wednesday regents meeting was released this morning.

The resolution, if approved, asks university leaders to report back to the regents in September with assessments, plans and time lines.

The universities must assess the feasibility of and formulate plans to, over an appropriate time period, "substantially reduce or eliminate" general fund subsidies, which cover things such as utility, administrative and overhead costs.