University Daily Kansan
Wednesday, August 23, 1978
9
Burge jack-of-all-jobs in running union
By MELISSA STINSON
Staff Writer
Early morning inspection rounds, an open door policy for students and watering the gardens on the Kansas Union entrances on a hot summer Sunday are just a few of them.
Those signs make it clear that Frank Burze cares about the building he manages.
"I'm delighted to have had the opportunity to manage the Union for a quarter century."
Burge. director of the Kansas Union for 26
years, thinks that listening to people is the backbone of a successful operation.
"I believe you ought to listen to young people, and listen to your colleagues. Ask for reports, because there are plenty of bright minds who are closer to the situation and have an opportunity to solve the problem," he said.
The responsibility of director is to act as coordinator in providing building facilities and acquiring a staff to run the programs, he said.
BURGE MAKES a routine tour of the
Photo from KANSAN FILES
Union Director Burge in 1952
Burges is on a first name basis with his staff and said that he thinks of it as a big achievement.
building each morning at 8 a.m. to talk with the staff and check facilities. He said that it was one of his responsibilities.
"I'm very proud of my staff. I'm privileged to surround myself with motivated, dedicated and competent staff members," he said.
Bettie Brock, bookstore manager, said that she selected that position over two years.
Members of the staff said that Burge was a good man to work for.
She said that Burge did not hesitate to pitch in when help was needed.
"I's great to work with him." Ken bribes an assistant supervisor of custodial skills.
"HE SEEMS to realize when we’re in need of help or need a boost. He's working."
"He doesn't mind digging in and helping. He gets on his hands and knees to help scrub sometimes. I guess what I'm trying to say is sometimes he gets in the way he helps so
"It's busy," he said. "I rarely have time between meetings to get really prepared for the next one so I have to do preparation at night for meetings the next day."
Burge's days are filled with admin- clerical meetings as well as the regular meetings.
Burge salute works an eight-hour day,
because there are usually meetings to attend.
BURGE SAID that the past two years have been the best for the Union.
That growth probably was born in the frustration and troubles of the atricles and axillary muscles.
Burge recalled the years from 1989 to 1971, including the night the Union was on fire,
"I feel so horrible because there were 1500 people in the building that very night. There were 700 alone watching a free film in the ballroom," he said.
The results of a 1973 survey of Union services gave birth to redecoration of the lounge, a change in building hours, imposition of new safety standards and proposed construction of the satellite Union.
"You see," Burge said, "if you listen, you bear that the *we* students are concerned, we don't."
Burge said that the satellite union would not create a division in the campus, but will provide necessary services for west campus.
"OBYIUSLY, IF I had two glasses of water here, and one was full while the other was empty, and I poured some into the other, you get equal quantities.
"There will probably be some reduction in crowds here, and a growth there, but you're not going to have a problem."
said, "He is one of the top union directors in the country. That's not only my opinion but that of other directors I've talked to throughout the country."
student union to become the director of the Kansas Union. His reputation has spread. Warner, Ferguson, associate director.
A native Iowan, Burge graduated from the University of Iowa. He left there in 1952 when he was assistant director of the Iowa
Burge in his office today
Staff Photo by SUZANNE BURDICK
FLOYD'S BAIT AND TACKLE YOUR ONE STOP SHOP FOR COLD BEER PLUS ALL YOUR AND ICE FISHING NEEDS
842-4683
3301 IOWA ACROSS FROM NEW BOWLING ALLEY
to the University of Kansas
WELCOME
See Our Get Acquainted Specials in the PEOPLE BOOK
Open
10 a.m.-1 a.m.
Sun-Thurs.
2 a.m.
Fri-Sat.