Dartmouth basketball team votes to unionize - ABC News

[TexasTowelie]

It's the first step towards forming the first labor union for college athletes. ABC News’ Andrew Dymburt reports.

[patphil]

1. If they get a scholarship to play for the college, then they are being paid for their work.

My belief is that this defines them as employees, and as such they can form a union.

[TexasTowelie]

2. A distinction would have to be made for Division III student-athletes.

Division III universities do not grant any athletic scholarships. They can receive other types of scholarships (e.g., scholarships for kinesiology majors), but I wouldn't call any of those recipients "employees."

[patphil]

5. I agree, an academic scholarship is an entirely different matter.

[MichMan]

4. Does that also apply to students receiving other types of scholarships ?

Also employees?

[patphil]

6. I'm only referring to those who are given sports scholarships.

Academic scholarships are generally given to attract high quality students for the purpose of raising or maintaining the colleges academic credentials.

[MichMan]

7. Why the distinction?

Academic Athletic scholarships are generally given to attract high quality students student/athletes for the purpose of raising or maintaining the colleges academic athletic credentials.

[patphil]

8. Because colleges exist to provide an education to their students.

Sports are not part of the academic curriculum. They are completely independent from the academics, except for degrees in things like physical education, or sports medicine.
I can't imagine academic students needing a union.
Also, athletic scholarships are not generally given for academic purposes, at least not in colleges that want sports to be a major part of their college brand.
Granted there are some schools where that straddle the two, and attempt to maintain the student athlete concept, but I don't believe this is what we are referring to here.
The reality of the situation is that any college with a strong presence in college sports is giving scholarships to athletes for their athletic prowess only.
These are the ones where it's evident that the student athlete is really an athlete that is also registered as a student. It's an illusion that they are at the school for any other purpose than sports.
If these athletes want to form a union, I'm all for it.

[MichMan]

3. They would need to be paid a living wage for attending class and study time, as well as for practice and games.

Passing grades are a requirement by their employers, so they need to be compensated