Talking Stick - January/February 2009 - (Page 49)

Vera Jackson: We are facing the fact that no new money will be coming to our university. The state of Mississippi is having problems, and higher ed will take the hit. We are forced to find creative ways to bring in more money. There is a slight increase for living on campus due partly to gas prices which are now going down. Being an auxiliary unit we must work hard at keeping our facilities full because like most of you we do not receive money from the state. I am now developing our conference housing to bring in more income to our department, and I am always looking for referrals. I am working on a marketing plan to help increase conference housing. Travel is slower now for my department, and I am trying to keep professional development up front so that it will not be completely cut from the budget. installations, etc. Also, with the economy we experienced last year, a number of conferences that had been on the books for over two years cancelled due to high gas prices and the inability to sustain their numbers. Seems like a vicious circle! Paul does make an excellent point . . . we need to stay engaged with the institutional leaders at our campuses and have our voice heard. Jackson: I agree with you and Paul – engagement is important. I have just had a meeting with the three vice-presidents I report to, and I have won a plus for housing regarding telephones and brought back to their attention that I have a residence hall that must be renovated before disaster strikes. Nicklaus: At the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, we are part of a state system for higher education. The state is facing a shortfall in projected revenue in the neighborhood of $5 billion, but this may be a conservative estimate. If past practices are to be followed, this may translate to a deficit of $6 million for our university. While the housing operation is an auxiliary and we will not directly be impacted by this deficit, something that may be different than other state institutions is that any reserves an auxiliary may have can be scooped away for projects needed within our institution or another institution in the state. So, I am a bit nervous that the funds we have in reserves for our new 500-bed residence hall may be taken away. We will be getting our budget directives from the state in the next month, so my colleagues and I are eagerly awaiting what will happen. Our occupancy rate has always been high. An interesting dilemma I am facing is that, to make way for a new academic building, two residence halls totaling 400 beds will be torn down this summer. So, for the next two years we will be in a situation in which greater demand will be placed on our housing, and overflow strategies will be even greater. (We have been over-occupied for the past 35 years.) From an overall cost perspective, as occupancy decreases, our dining services will be impacted. And, with tuition going up, an even greater burden is placed on the backs of the students and their families. At this time there is no plan to scrap or postpone the building of our new residence hall. Riel: Vera makes a great point that we need to look for enhanced revenues, and conference services is a good choice. Balancing summer projects against selling conference beds continues to be a constant source of difficulty on our campus. Now more than ever, we have to stay engaged with the leadership on our campuses. In Florida, we have a local board of trustees that views the housing cash balance in reserves as potential revenue for other uses. These folks recognize how important it is for housing to remain financially secure, but in difficult times they may still choose to use this money. Our challenge is to be prepared for this and know how to react. we All Know we will Be AsKed (reqUired? mAndAted? Forced?) to contriBUte to resolving the BUdget issUes FAcing the institUtion. Jackson: It is a problem for me also, Paul. During the summer we have had requests to use facilities that are offline for the summer. I am constantly trying to work around that problem. Although housing funds are separate because we are an auxiliary unit, if the school needs funds I am sure they will tap into ours. Right now because we are paying for new buildings we have been spared, but who knows about the future? Nick Nicklaus: I concur that enhancing revenues is a part of the solution. But, as you all have pointed out, our buildings are due for remodeling, renovation, and new roofs. This impacts the number of conferences we can host as we have to take a building(s) offline to do major plumbing projects, new fire alarm January + February 2009

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Talking Stick - January/February 2009 Contents Online Now Vision Just In Your ACUHO-I Transitions Res Life Facilities Business Special Focus Calendar Assessing Assignments On Your Honor Conversations First Takes Reporting Out Welcome Snapshot

Talking Stick - January/February 2009

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