The battle lines are drawn and have been for some years now.

On one side is the world of academia, full of scholarly, knowledgeable people. On the other side is athletics, full of fast and flexible people.

These two sides are at odds simply because of money. One side has it, the other is constantly jealous of the other side. It’s this way not just at Eastern, but also at schools around the country. While most universities struggle through a budget crunch, athletic departments are flush with cash.

The system isn’t fair, but don’t count on a change any time soon.

Kansas State University of the Big 12 Conference announced last week it had to cut its budget for a second time this year. The Manhattan, Kan., school has $9.3 million less spending power than it had last year.

The Wildcats’ athletic department brings in $1.2 million on every home football game, which doesn’t include television deals or any possible bowl game the Top 25 team will likely travel to.

Shouldn’t academics be allowed to use some of that money? Someone throw them a bone.

No way.

Robin Hood doesn’t work for the administration at any university in the country. No one will steal from the rich athletic department and give to the

poor academic side of the university.

It ought to stay that way.

When the athletic department cashes in, it should keep the money it earns. After all, no one would pay for tickets to a chemistry lab, right?

The argument is tired and weak.

The real reason academics don’t get any money from athletics is because the two operate on completely different levels. At most universities with any kind of significant athletic program, the athletic department is separate from the rest of campus.

Usually the athletic fields and offices are pushed off into a remote corner of campus with the dorms and academic halls at the center of the university map. A map of money distribution would show plenty of green at the far end of the campus where the athletic department is.

Sometimes the athletic department will make steps to hit up organizations like the Activity Board for some extra cash. It’s like Bill Gates asking the late Mother Teresa for some spare change – ridiculous.

But just because the athletic department does a better job of fund raising and has more alumni willing to donate the big bucks, doesn’t mean it should have to share. We live in a capitalist society, that sort of

behavior would be downright socialist.

The system in place has always been that way and as long as people are enthralled with college athlete’s ability to run, pass, hit a baseball or kick a soccer ball, that won’t change any time soon. That’s too bad, because it isn’t fair.

Universities prove that a house divided can and will continue to stand.