Need better priorities at UMass

This week, The Athletic released its ranking of 133 college football teams. UMass placed 133rd. This is really no surprise as UMass football team has won only three out of 40 games played since 2019.

Despite this remarkable record, UMass continues to pour money into the football program. The latest coach was hired with a salary of $700,000. According to MassLive, the previous coach earned $2.8 million over three seasons, yet notched up a record of two wins and 23 losses. And of course, there are numerous assistant coaches and associated support staff, adding to the cost of maintaining the football program.

Meanwhile, investment in the academic enterprise at UMass is languishing. 

This year, the College of Natural Sciences will be allowed to hire only three tenure track faculty members — not even enough to replace those who have retired. The School of Earth and Sustainability, within the College of Natural Sciences, where our future environmental leaders are trained, barely survives on an operating budget of less than $50,000 year.

The time has come for this absurd imbalance in investment to be reviewed. The good news is that UMass has a new chancellor, is searching for a new provost, and the College of Natural Sciences has just hired a new dean. With this team in place, a more rational distribution of finances can take place. I hope they will embrace this opportunity.

Raymond Bradley

 Leverett.