BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Professors from Rutgers University’s School of Arts and Sciences think more of the school’s money has been devoted to athletics than academics, and they want students to have a say in the matter.

The Daily Targum reports that the faculty members passed a resolution last week calling for cuts in the budget of the university’s athletic program, and asked for a referendum where students can decide how much of their fees go toward athletics. The resolution was approved by a 174 to 3 margin at Voorhees Hall on the College Avenue campus.

The faculty members expressed most of their anger toward the Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team and departing coach Greg Schiano. Schiano owes Rutgers $500,000 as part of the terms of his contract buyout, and another $300,000 from an interest-free mortgage he received in that same agreement.

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According to an Associated Press report in The Republic, the Rutgers athletic department spent about $26.8 million more than it earned in revenue in 2010. Rutgers has reportedly spent $135 million in student fees and other funds since 2005, and millions more on its athletic facilities.

Rutgers says its has already cut its athletic budget by $1 million. But only 25 of 120 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision lost more money than Rutgers in 2010, according to records.