Penn State's decision to join the Big 10 last December was motivated by athletics, a move that prioritized sports prestige over the University's fundamental mission -- education.

The University's arrival in the Big 10 represents a step above the last athletic conference Penn State participated in -- the Atlantic 10. The athletic competition the A-10 provided was scarce, the academic network non-existent. By contrast, the Big 10 may be the best all-sports conference in the country, and it offers more academic support than the A-10.

But though the Big 10 offers a support system, it is still not something that will greatly benefit day-to-day academic life.

The University will participate in the Committee on Institutional Cooperation, which holds conferences and workshops to allow members to help each other. Big 10 members also participate in cooperative programs that allow students to enroll at any Big 10 school for in-state tuition.

However, the fact remains that the athletic advantages are greater. And when Penn State cited academics instead of athletics behind the Big 10 affiliation, it tried to make its motives look nobler than they were.

University President Bryce Jordan made the decision shortly after a media leak in mid-December. He consulted only with the Faculty Advisory Committee, the University Board of Trustees and the Council of Academic Deans.

In the news conferences after the move, Jordan and other administrators said the University joined one of the top all-sports conferences in the nation by citing general academic advantages.

However, administrators did not specify those academic bonuses when they announced joining the Big 10. Instead, administrators said vaguely that joining the Big 10 would be beneficial because most Big 10 schools are similar to Penn State.

If the University seriously wanted to ensure the move would enhance academics, it should have consulted with a wider range of University community members. Talking with the Faculty Senate and the athletic director may have taken time, but it would have worth weighing the potential ramifications for both students and student-athletes. Members of the Faculty Senate last week rightly objected to the lack of consultation.

Administrators were wrong to attempt misleading the public: joining the Big 10 may do a lot for athletics, but very little for academics.