[Mick]

Well written article.  I read through most of the comments which were surprisingly thoughtful and more diverse than you find here.  This is one example from someone who says she is a Stanford student:

Emmy Li
Stanford
1h ago

Hi, Stanford student here. Can we talk about how athletes have long received special treatment (separate medical services, better psychological services, special dinners, special tutoring, academic accommodations in classes, etc.) Can we talk about how, during a pandemic, they’ve been staying at the Palo Alto Sheraton racking up hotel bills since July 1 and partying unmasked in each other’s rooms. Can we talk about how athletes threw a party at 576 Alvarado a couple nights ago, and face no consequences despite the university threatening eviction to graduate students who allow guests into their apartments?


Then, can we talk about how Stanford is raising its pool of financial aid resources this year during a pandemic, lowering barriers to access for low- and middle- income families? Can we talk about how Stanford is finally guaranteeing 12-month funding for doctoral candidates? I do not feel bad at all for Stanford cutting the sports which are affirmative action for privileged kids.

I have been so fed up over the years seeing students have to go to food banks because of food insecurity and then see athletes be showered with attention, praise, and more funding from administrators. We’re supposed to be a research university, not a playground for the rich.

Couple of thoughts re: Ms. Li's commentary:
1. "showered with attention, praise and more funding."  Interesting terms and interesting ordering of said terms.  Apparently Ms. Li doesn't receive enough attention and praise.
2.  "Can we talk about how athletes have long received special treatment (separate medical services, better psychological services, special dinners, special tutoring, academic accommodations in classes, etc.) "  Separate medical services for presumably different injuries and illnesses and training table/special dinners, I understand -- they need better/different physician services and nutrition at that level.  the academic accommodations have always been a pain for non-athletes, that was the only real gripe I remember from my undergrad days.  As to the tutoring...I can't imagine Stanford would lack tutoring for any student that needs it.  Is that really a thing?
3.  The "food insecurity" comment I don't understand at all.  And maybe because I was on a campus where every student was guaranteed buffet-style dining 19 meals a week.  There are Stanford students who don't have access to food?

[Mick]

Well written article.  I read through most of the comments which were surprisingly thoughtful and more diverse than you find here.  This is one example from someone who says she is a Stanford student:

Emmy Li
Stanford
1h ago

Hi, Stanford student here. Can we talk about how athletes have long received special treatment (separate medical services, better psychological services, special dinners, special tutoring, academic accommodations in classes, etc.) Can we talk about how, during a pandemic, they’ve been staying at the Palo Alto Sheraton racking up hotel bills since July 1 and partying unmasked in each other’s rooms. Can we talk about how athletes threw a party at 576 Alvarado a couple nights ago, and face no consequences despite the university threatening eviction to graduate students who allow guests into their apartments?


Then, can we talk about how Stanford is raising its pool of financial aid resources this year during a pandemic, lowering barriers to access for low- and middle- income families? Can we talk about how Stanford is finally guaranteeing 12-month funding for doctoral candidates? I do not feel bad at all for Stanford cutting the sports which are affirmative action for privileged kids.

I have been so fed up over the years seeing students have to go to food banks because of food insecurity and then see athletes be showered with attention, praise, and more funding from administrators. We’re supposed to be a research university, not a playground for the rich.

Couple of thoughts re: Ms. Li's commentary:
1. "showered with attention, praise and more funding."  Interesting terms and interesting ordering of said terms.  Apparently Ms. Li doesn't receive enough attention and praise.
2.  "Can we talk about how athletes have long received special treatment (separate medical services, better psychological services, special dinners, special tutoring, academic accommodations in classes, etc.) "  Separate medical services for presumably different injuries and illnesses and training table/special dinners, I understand -- they need better/different physician services and nutrition at that level.  the academic accommodations have always been a pain for non-athletes, that was the only real gripe I remember from my undergrad days.  As to the tutoring...I can't imagine Stanford would lack tutoring for any student that needs it.  Is that really a thing?
3.  The "food insecurity" comment I don't understand at all.  And maybe because I was on a campus where every student was guaranteed buffet-style dining 19 meals a week.  There are Stanford students who don't have access to food?