<p>hawkette - the issue is much deeper than who gets athletic aid. Many more are recruited and given an admissions advantage irrespective of athletic aid. Don’t forget the burden that Title IX places on schools with a surplus of women - JMU is in the same boat - if the ratio of women to men is nearly 60/40, athletic participation has to reflect the same ratio, and with that ten ton elephant known as football the number of participants in women’s sports will be much greater on a team by team basis than the men. The women’s teams invite more and recruit more - without regard to athletic aid (although in fairness most non-scholarship athletes are fairly decent students). It simply has to be that way. This is why JMU doesn’t have a mens track or cross country team any longer - but the women do. (Track and cross country in the CAA is real cheap - so its not about money - but about compliance). And when it comes to a relatively small school like W & M, this practice really starts to impact admissions in a concentrated environment like Northern Virginia, where W & M could likely fill most of its class if it ever chose to do so. </p>
<p>I agree that the male matriculants to W & M are qualified - but that doesn’t detract from the reality in Northern Virginia that lesser qualifed males often receive admission when the women don’t. </p>
<p>And I agree this is all in all a minor point - but issues like this grate when the school goes through a bit of turmoil, such as now with President Nichol.</p>