On The Blvd
KU budget problems hamper ground crews
Facilities Operations scrambles to beautify campus for weekend
THE KU CAMPUS, CONSIDERED BY MANY TO be among the nation's most beautiful college campuses, will require extra hard work to have it looking great for this year's homecoming events.
Because of budget cuts and a hiring freeze, workers are scrambling to maintain the campus' picturesque appearance as alumni return to the University.
Landscape crews from Facilities Operations and Student Housing Maintenance must hustle year-round to maintain more than 1,200 acres. While the campus never looks unsightly, homecoming requires added attention, primarily because of the parade.
"During homecoming week, we place a little more emphasis on Jayhawk Boulevard for our distinguished alumni in hopes that they will contribute money to the University," said Bob Porter, associate director of Facilities Operations.
This means making sure that all trash receptacles are empty,weeds are
pulled, bushes are trimmed and gardens are attractive.
Budget cuts prevented Facilities Operations from mowing areas on campus as much as they would like. Landscape crews now only mow the grass on campus once or twice a week instead of three times a week as in the past.
For homecoming, however, crews try to have the grassy spaces perfect and the flowers looking beautiful.
Residence halls also receive special attention for homecoming.
"We'll try to spruce things up and take care of the eyesores," said Jeff Carmody, assistant director of Student Housing Maintenance. Any unsightly hedges and trees are trimmed, and flower beds are given a good weeding and cleaning.
"We like to have the first-impression areas looking great before homecoming and other special weekends," Carmody said.
In a normal week, the landscape crew for Student Housing Maintenance must cover more than 100 acres with a staff of only eight people. The areas around residence hall entrances are of particular concern for crews.
Homecoming also creates more work
Steve Puppe / KANSAN
Facilities Operations crews have been busy weeding flower gardens in preparation for homecoming weekend and the many visitors to campus.
for custodial crews. Every Saturday, custodial employees work for four hours to clean residence halls.
With only 50 employees cleaning all University living areas, special weekends mean intense work.
Despite the budget cuts and a University-wide hiring freeze, crews must labor to make up for a lack of man-power. Facilities Operations has more than 50 positions that need to be filled. Budget problems will allow them to fill only five.
Those unfilled positions have effected the landscaping crew. The crew has only 22 full-time workers. They would prefer to have about 30 workers.
"If this lasts, we will face major problems," said Vince Williams, an assistant director at Facilities Operations.
An inadequate number of workers could result in less flower beds and other decorative landscaping. These areas could be replaced with grass, which requires much less maintenance.
—BY DAVID MORANTZ
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~ Hill • October 11, 1995