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NEWS / THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2010 / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN KANSAN.COM
CAMPUS
Departments feel the pinch of recent budget cuts
BY JENNY TERRELL jterrellkansan.com
As the University doles out budget cuts campus-wide, various departments are saving wherever and however they can — relying on everything from recycled folders to decreased services to weather the cuts.
The Public Administration Department, which offers degrees at masters, doctoral and undergraduate levels, is trying to limit the effects of its five-percent cut to its operating budget by collecting and reusing office supplies. As a result, Diana Koslowsky, senior administration associate with the department, has enough paperclips
on her desk to last a year.
"We are just trying to save money," Koslowsky said.
The department folders, which, Koslowsky said, is probably saving a little more money because they are more expensive than paperclips. Although the University did not specifically cut the department's budget
plies and other expenses. The cut will reduce the department's operating budget to $31,472, as compared to last year's $33,128 bud-
University departments are looking toward less conventional ways to compensate for the decrease in funding.
for office supplies, cuts were made to the college's operating funds, which cover phone bills, office sup-
get, which is a $1,656 reduction.
In an attempt to limit the effect the budget cuts will have on staff and services. University departments are looking toward less
conventional ways to compensate for the decrease in funding.
CUT DOWN ON 'TOOT'
If students want to hear the steam whistle in its full, former glory, they will need to visit the display on the first floor of the Kansas Union.
The steam whistle, "Tootie-Toot," sounds for 2.5 seconds to signal the end of each class. Three years ago, "Tootie-Toot" sounded for five full seconds each time. Jill Jess, University spokeswoman, said shortening the whistle saved about $1,000 per year, but the actual amount saved fluctuates with the price of natural gas. In August 2008, the University decided not to toot the whistle because of the expenses. However, after receiving complaints from alumni, students
and staff, the whistle returned in September, but with half as much gusto as before. Rosita Elizalde-McCoy, senior vice president of communications and marketing at KU Endowment, said it received more than $4,000 in donations from 12 different donors to get the whistle running again and keep the tradition alive.
Doug Riat, director of Facilities Operations, said the department was cutting back on everything from purchasing new equipment
THE COST OF CLEAN
The department has a fleet of vehicles, which includes 78 tagged vehicles and 58 pieces of equip-
to hours of custodial labor.
ment. The total cost of operating the fleet in 2009 was $276,164. This includes $111,278 for fuel and $164,886 for repairs, insurance, registration, tires, batteries and regular vehicle maintenance. Riat said the department replaces five vehicles during a normal year. However, he said this year the department might only replace one, if not all.
if any at all.
Steven Green, associate director of Facilities Operations, said he wanted to replace eight vehicles, which, after auctioning off the used vehicles, would equal a net cost of $98,000. After deducting the cost of maintenance and repairs, he estimated this year's savings to be $81,200.
Golledge said she did not expect any other major cuts to dining services. However, KU Dining will continue to monitor traffic patterns at all locations and adjust hours of operations accordingly.
Jacey Lashier, a sophomore from Lenexa, said she was annoyed that food is not served on Saturdays. "We either have to go to the Union to buy food at the Hawk Shop or go out to buy food," Lashier said. "It's a hassle for sure."
— Edited by Kate Larrabee
Alternatives on Fridays have also expanded to help students who relied on Saturday meals. Golledge said since closing the dining center on Saturdays, the number of meal equivalencies given on Fridays had increased, but she said it was difficult to determine the exact number. Golledge said closing GSP Dining will have saved approximately 6,000 hours in labor by the end of this academic year. Student jobs on campus are paid $7.50 per hour, so the reduction in hours could lead to a savings of $45,000.
NM man arrested for bong igniting home
LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Authorities said a 30-year-old man was arrested for allegedly using a marijuana bong and setting his mobile home on fire. Investigator Lindell Wright said the man was using alcohol to clean the bong when he purposely ignited the alcohol and set fire to his curtains.
Riat said the department saved the most money in custodial labor.
The department also saved money by limiting services. Offices that have previously been cleaned up to three times a week are now only being cleaned once a week.
He said four custodial positions were eliminated this year. The starting wage for a custodian is $10.15 an hour, Riat said. With benefits, a custodial salary is about $27,000, making the expense cut about $180,000.
"We can't continue to provide the same services with fewer staff," Riat said.
Lindell said no one else was home when the suspect allegedly set the blaze, which destroyed the home but caused no injuries.
Wright said an off-duty deputy sheriff spotted the man driving away from the burning home and alerted authorities. He was arrested after a police chase.
"We wanted to make sure that the women at GSP had options available," Golledge said.
KITCHEN CLOSED
To continue providing services to the students, GSP Dining has extended the meal equivalency hours. A meal equivalency is a brown-bag meal that usually includes a sandwich, two sides and a drink. The meals are offered at GSP from 6:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Fridays until 7 p.m.
"Our goal was to find savings that had the least amount of impact to our customers across campus," said Nona Golledge, director of KU Dining Services.
GSP Dining serves about 750 meals on an average weekday. Last school year, the average total meal count served on Saturdays was less than 75. Because of dwindling numbers, GSP Dining decided to close the dining center on Saturdays in August 2009.
CRIME
Associated Press