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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Living Large On The Cougar Tab Letter Of The Week From Dec. 27, 1997

CORRECTION: 1-6-98; B4 The headline on yesterday’s Golden Pen letter created an incorrect impression. The hotel suite where Washington State University Football Coach Mike Price stayed during the Rose Bowl was a complimentary room, provided by the Loews hotel in Santa Monica at no charge to the WSU athletic program.

Please tell me it was a misprint! The Spokesman-Review reported last Sunday that Coach Mike Price, while in Southern California getting ready for the glory of Rose Bowl, is staying in a hotel suite costing $2,500 per night. That’s $2,500 a night from Dec. 20 through Jan. 1 12 nights, $30,000.

Granted, the room has its own kitchen and a baby grand piano, but for $2,500, I hope it also has a butler, chef and concert pianist - maybe even a private recital from the Three Tenors.

I don’t understand college football finance. Maybe someone could enlighten me about who pays for this sort of extravagance. Whoever it is should consider that $2,500 would a go a long way on campus. I know departments where the faculty must provide their own staplers and tape dispensers. I know a department that rations whiteboard markers and has run out of photocopying funds so that instructors spend their own money to provide class handouts.

I know students working full time while carrying full-time class loads who would appreciate a small scholarship. One night’s lodging in that hotel suite would pay tuition and books for a student for one semester.

I don’t begrudge Coach Price his day in the limelight, but $2,500 for a room to sleep and shower in? Say it isn’t so! Kay A. McAuley Pullman

MEMO: The Golden Pen is a feature of the Monday Opinion page. Each week the Spokesman-Review editorial board nominates one piece of artwork or a published letter to the editor for its Golden Pen award. At the end of each month, the board will choose one of the nominees to receive a 10-karat gold Cross pen. At the end of the year, the monthly winners will be honored at a reception at The Spokesman-Review.

The Golden Pen is a feature of the Monday Opinion page. Each week the Spokesman-Review editorial board nominates one piece of artwork or a published letter to the editor for its Golden Pen award. At the end of each month, the board will choose one of the nominees to receive a 10-karat gold Cross pen. At the end of the year, the monthly winners will be honored at a reception at The Spokesman-Review.