Normally, one associates progressive causes with protests. So, it was a surprise to see App State Student Power marching to support academics over athletics and complain that student parking spaces had been co-opted for a tailgate party.

It may have been a big tent for buy-in. The five planks of the ASSP platform, paraphrased, are to:

  1. Quit using student fees to fund athletics.
  2. Use student fees to fund health and psychological services, scholarships, and academic services for athletes.
  3. Increase diversity among students, coaches, and student service providers.
  4. Increase the quantity (not quality) of tenure-track faculty.
  5. Pay all ASU staff a living wage.