The Union retains the very small amount of income remaining after all outgo bills are paid, for future expansion of facilities and purchase of new equipment.
Funds for recently remodeling the cafeteria came mostly from selfgenerated working capital. The Hawk's Nest area is currently being redecorated and improved to provide better service in a pleasant and attractive atmosphere.
The bookstore operation provided enough funds above expenses last year to return $82,000 to you as patronage refunds. In addition, some $15,000 was paid to the Disadvantaged Student Loan Program from bookstore funds. The Union addition now under construction will provide a large browsing area as well as expanded facilities to help relieve crowded bookstore conditions, especially during enrollment periods.
The new addition also will provide a much needed auditorium as well as additional meeting and conference rooms and offices for the Alumni Association. The four major expansions since the Union's establishment in 1925 were necessary to meet the needs of a growing University family.
Plans already are in progress for a large Union satellite facility to serve primarily the large concentration of students on the Southwest Campus. You and your wishes serve as the basis for the many decisions affecting day-to-day Union operations.
One of our foremost operations, the Student Union Activities Program, provided entertainment and educational services last year with a budget of about $210,000. The Union provides facilities, staff advisors to assist the students leading the program and a nominal allocation of money above actual income.
Only $4.50 of the $17 Union fee full-time students pay per semester ($5 per summer session) came to us to be used in our everyday operations last fiscal year. The remaining $12.50 was earmarked for debt service, major renovation or working capital funds. Allocation of the entire $17 looks like this:
$4.00—Retained for payment of principal and interest on Student Union Building Revenue Bonds of 1950. (Since June 30, 1969, this portion has been reallocated by the Board of Regents to be used for major repairs and maintenance, to offset increased utilities expense, and for general Union operations.)
2. 50- Retained to use only for debt service for the 1960 Student Union Annex and/or extraordinary repairs, replacements or renovations on the Union Annex.
5. 00—Retained for financing present Union addition and the anticipated satellite.
1. 00—Provided directly to the Union for creation of a special working capital reserve to be used exclusively for the purchase of new equipment.
4. 50—Provided directly to the Union for operations.
17.00
We hope this brief summarization has shown you a little of the scope of Kansas Union operations and that you will continue to keep us informed as to how we can better serve you. Let us know how we can make your living room at K.U. more enjoyable.
Respectfully submitted,
The Kansas Union Staff University of Kansas