However, athletics can serve as a common denominator for the diverse stakeholders who comprise a university community. The investment we choose to make in athletics can provide almost priceless national publicity and visibility that generates a halo effect for all other university undertakings, but it is also a very expensive enterprise that can draw resources away from academic opportunities. For that reason, we should closely monitor and regularly evaluate whether we are getting an appropriate return on our investment. But at this point, because of its overall benefits, as well as Marquette's tradition, the university is committed to supporting a basketball program capable of becoming competitive at the highest levels nationally. There will be a common core more common than is, in fact, the case today for all undergraduate students although it will likely be specified more in terms of educational objectives involving knowledge, skills and values rather than specific courses.
Graduate education is a core product of the university.
We especially focus on graduate professional education at the master's level, along with a carefully delineated commitment to doctoral education in selected departments. As most graduate education is cost intensive, new program undertakings must be evaluated not only for academic quality but also on their market demand and potential to contribute to financial surplus. The basic criteria should be those factors endorsed by the SPSC in its examination of graduate programs, especially quality, cost, market demand and contribution to the university's mission. There is general consensus that some academic restructuring is needed and that the first consideration in making adjustments should be improving academic quality. Investment in and provision of adequate educational and operational technology is essential to the future of any quality university.