General Impact Statement:
In order to provide current service level, monies designated for SRC reserves have been eroded in recent years. Given the proposed 2 ½ percent allocation for FY08, we would again be unable to meet current service level and it would be fiscally irresponsible to further deplete operational reserves. Consequently, we will be forced to cut programs and services and increase fees. At the same time, students continue to utilize Student Recreation Center facilities at high levels and some aspects such as sanitation and safety simply cannot be cut. Additional custodial staff is needed to maintain current student utilization which we would not be able to hire. SRC professional staff already works under job description demands that are stretched beyond reasonable levels. As one of the largest employers of students on campus, many of the adjustments that will be required to meet a 2 ½ percent allocation will negatively impact student employment opportunities. In FY07, $336,755 of a total $966,858 ASUO incidental fee budget for SRC operations is going right back to students in the form of wages.
Finally, as administrators and student, we are already seriously challenged to protect the $20 million investment in SRC facilities (constructed in 1988-2000 completely with student fees) due to annual operational funding limitations and the inability to date, to fund the mandated equipment and building reserves. These are the only UO auxiliary facility reserves (under the mandate of several years ago) which remain unfunded. With new facilities and equipment, we have gotten away with this for 6 years but now SRC facilities are showing their age and equipment is wearing out. I have to ask, how long do students wish to let this continue without addressing the problem? The 2 ½ per cent increase limitation only impacts current operational costs. It does not begin to address this much larger issue.
SRC Services (possible impacts):
- Possible cut back on SRC operational hours. Strategies include possibilities such as reducing closure on some or all week day evenings from 11pm to 10pm and/or closing entirely a weekend day such as Sunday.
- Possible elimination of towel service entirely to save laundry, supplies and labor cost.
- Cleanliness of the SRC would be seriously impacted. We are in desperate need of 1 ½ FTE additional custodial staff right now, just to manage current sanitation and cleanliness standards, given the 3,500 average daily utilization we currently experience.
- Current mandated capital equipment reserves are already under funded.
- Worn out exercise equipment will not be replaced. More and more equipment will be out of order awaiting repairs.
- Sports equipment such as balls and racquets that are checked out at Equipment Issue may be pressed into service past current standards of wear replacement.
- As we redirect limited maintenance staff to the increasing repairs of exercise equipment that has exceeded useful life, other areas of needed repair and maintenance throughout the SRC will suffer.
- The natural turf fields of our new Outdoor Complex require proper maintenance, aerating, top dressing and fertilization. Our budget is challenged even now to meet minimum maintenance standards. These wonderful new sand based fields with great drainage and playability, if improperly maintained, will quickly deteriorate and be extremely costly to restore.
Increase in Fees or New Fees (possible impacts):
- Fees for student participation in Intramural Sports went up in FY07 and is planned again for FY08. A much more significant increase will be required than what is currently planned.
- Locker Rental fee increase will need to be greater than is currently planned. -
- Overnight equipment rental fees will increase.
- Fees for fitness services will increase.
- Fees for facility rental and equipment for Student Organizations will increase.
- Establishment of a new fee for towel service.
- Establishment of a Rock Wall participation fee.
- Establishment of a rental fee for Club Sports. Club Sports currently receives SRC and outdoor field practice space at no cost. Club Sports would then, in turn, need to go to the ASUO incidental fee to pay those costs.
Programs (possible impacts):
- Open recreation hours may become more limited. We currently prioritize and protect activity spaces for open (informal, drop-in) recreation. We frequently turn away facility rental opportunities to maintain this important priority which will have to be re-evaluated in light of revenue generation pressures.
- Special events such as Fitness Week, Family Recreation, National Fitness Day, Rock Wall Vertical Circus, etc. may be reduced or eliminated.
