Northwestern University Union, Essay Example

Introduction

A recent news story involving the Northwestern University football team and its unionization is significant because it impacts the manner in which college athletics are viewed in the modern era. There are significant issues to consider with this process, particularly as universities seek to better manage their human capital in the form of collegiate athletes. However, by making college athletes the employees of a union, this removes them from the basic concepts that being a student brings to the table (Wolken). This is an important reminder that by establishing unions for athletes in colleges and universities, there is a significant side effect in that these students have greater negotiating power within these roles, which could pose a risk to the integrity of collegiate athletics, particularly when these athletes achieve greater bargaining power than what they should receive at this level (Wolken). Therefore, the primary consequence of unionization of collegiate athletics is ego for many of these athletes; at the same time, they are likely to be able to better balance some of their time if they have a bargaining chip through a balance between school and sports (Wolken). The following discussion will address this issue in greater detail and will emphasize the importance of the cause and effect relationship between unionization and collegiate athletics.

Analysis

The ability of a university to form a union for its athletes is a unique phenomenon, as it observes students as employees of a university, which poses a serious threat to the integrity of the academic institution (Belkin). It is believed that “The case is being closely watched by colleges and universities across the country because it has the potential to change the dynamics of the multibillion-dollar industry of college sports by giving players the ability to bargain for payment beyond their scholarships” (Belkin). Therefore, the implementation of the union model in collegiate athletics is disconcerting and perhaps frustrating for coaches and the administration, as it provides athletes with greater leverage over their coaches when issues arise (Belkin). The effect of this decision has been widespread, in spite of its early impact, as many experts argue that this decision will have long-term detrimental impacts on the university and on collegiate athletics as a whole (Belkin). The impact of this decision serves as a turning point in American collegiate athletics, as it gives these athletes more power than ever to negotiate with coaches and administrators regarding matters that are important to them (Belkin).

In effect, by allowing college athletes to form unions, this decision supports increased freedom and leverage that these players could potentially introduce into other areas of their academic careers, including their studies. This is an important disadvantage because under no circumstances should students have the ability to negotiate in regards to their grades and homework assignments  However, with this rule in place, it is possible that college athletes will be able to bargain and/or negotiate with their professors regarding tests and homework assignments, which places them at an unfair advantage. This problem, therefore, has serious and lasting consequences for those universities who choose to participate.

The process of developing an effective response to unionization requires an understanding of the power of the union and how it impacts athletes on different levels. There are considerable factors at work that demonstrate the importance of new approaches to manage their athletic careers. However, this is not always a benefit, as universities may begin to realize that some athletes could pose a problem to the status quo through their actions, particularly as they strive to be successful in negotiating many of their school-related activities. These factors are instrumental in the argument because they demonstrate the negative aspects of unionizing college athletes and enabling them to have a significant voice and level of power in conducting their activities. College athletes, with a unionized status, will be able to have much greater power than they deserve at this stage of their sports careers. Therefore, this problem is significant and must be addressed more fully before enabling other university collegiate athletes to follow suit.

Conclusion

Collegiate athletics is designed to be competitive yet fun for players. However, since this has become a highly profitable business for many universities, it is not surprising that there are significant efforts in place to unionize college athletes in order to provide them with additional leverage in their activities. This level of negotiation is not something that college athletes are typically privy to, as this is typically reserved for professional athletes. However, there is an ever-increasing recognition of the profitability of collegiate athletics and therefore, additional measures have been explored in order to improve the bargaining rights of college athletes. On the other hand, this decision may lead to detrimental consequences for the future of collegiate athletics in that it becomes more of a business than a place where students learn and grow, while playing football on the side. This is a difficult challenge that many universities must consider in the future as their football programs grow and evolve. These factors will play a significant role in determining how to address the status of college athletes as they become increasingly popular and relevant to universities as a source of significant revenue and growth.

Works Cited

Belkin, Douglas. “Union: let ruling stand allowing Northwestern athletes to organize; college’s argument against football unionization “castle built on sand,” says association. Wall Street Journal, 17 April 2014.ProQuest. 24 April 2014

Wolken, Dan. “Emmert decries athlete unionization.” USA Today, 7 April 2014. Academic Search Premier. 24 April 2014.