Education first. You see this phrase plastered on t-shirts, commercials and billboards advertising Eastern Michigan University. EMU, a university that has been repeatedly named one of the best in the Midwest, has a high emphasis on education; however, if you are a student at this university, it's quite apparent that the phrase "Education First" is out-shined by the travesty that is called the athletics department.

In a recent article on Huffington Post, Eastern Michigan University ranked number 17 on the top 25 most subsidized college athletic departments. With a whopping 83 percent of financing coming from subsidy, student fees are responsible for 7 percent of the total subsidy while institutional support provides the other 93 percent percent. Ticket sales account for just 1 percent of funding for the department, 7 percent from NCAA distributions, and 9 percent from other revenues.

As a student at this university, it is quite frustrating to know that our university is putting such a high emphasis on athletics while this year, EMU's Board of Reagents approved a 7.8 percent tuition increase. By exceeding the state cap, EMU forfeited $1 million in state aid in favor of $10 million in revenue from the increase.

What is even more frustrating is the fact that EMU's athletics department has recently been participating in a promotion, giving away a year's tuition to a lucky student attending the tailgate, for the Oct. 29th and Nov. 14th games. Greg Steiner, EMU's assistant athletic director for media relations, told MLive, "We certainly would like to see a bump in attendance, but the big thing is about rewarding the students for being EMU students and supporters of the program." Though I am definitely for students receiving free tuition, why not use that money to give more financial aid to students? Especially to those who can't afford it. An athletics department shouldn't need to bribe its students with free tuition just to fill the stands.

I have a lot of pride in my university and am so appreciative of the opportunities I am given here, but it is hard to ignore the university's blatant prioritization of the athletics department over other fundamental aspects of higher education. I am sure I do not stand alone when I say EMU needs to stay true to their slogan and put education first. Student athletes represent a small portion of the university, and the money that is poured into the athletics department could be pivotal in enhancing the education of those who do not identify as an athlete. A football game can't cure cancer, a touchdown can't solve world hunger, but an education can be the first step in making a change.