ANN ARBOR—University of Michigan President Lee C. Bollinger today issued the following statement:

“In the last few days, there have been several prominent news articles Ann Arbor News–Michigan Daily Detroit News—Detroit Free Press about the recently approved ticket price increase for football tickets. The contents of those stories call for clarification.

“First, the Board in Control, a standing committee consisting of faculty, students, and alumni, voted in unanimous support of the ticket increase at one of their regular public meetings on Jan. 28. Tom Goss, athletic director, kept me fully informed about this matter and then their decision. All normal University procedures have been followed. I have approved the Board in Control recommendation and support it.

“Second, the increase in football ticket prices is an important step for the Athletic Department. The athletic director has many important ventures under way and planned—not the least among them adding new intercollegiate sports. Additional revenues will be required to fund them. While it is always prudent, and therefore standard practice, to maintain robust reserves, a principal motivation behind this action is the maintenance of Michigan’s first-rate, competitive athletic program. An increase of prices to an amount comparable to that charged by our competitors is appropriate and necessary. This price increase would be made even if none of the improvements to the Stadium occurred.

“This increase does not change the price charged to students.

“Finally, it is my responsibility, not the athletic director’s, to keep the Regents informed about University matters. And, it is my firm policy not to discuss issues relating to the Regents through the press.”

Regents