Collegiate Times

"UUSA is four different facilities, so that is a little bit different from some," Mindrum said. "The fact that UUSA is responsible for Squires and the GLC and the Chapel is good. That's interesting. It probably makes their lives more complicated, having four areas of focus, but I think it serves the campus well."

He also emphasized that UUSA is one of many organizations being affected negatively by budget reductions.

"This is a tight economy," Mindrum said. "I think most every university I'm aware of is experiencing budget issues. This is a state university, and state support of the university is decreasing. I think those things are always going to have an impact on everyone."

The UUSA staff was praised by stakeholders who met with Mindrum.

"But I'll be honest, one of the impressions I got from stakeholders, not just students, is that they think the staff here is trying very hard," Mindrum said. "So, the feedback we got on the staff has been very positive."

Walters-Steele also complimented her employees for showing resilience.

"I would commend the staff of UUSA because you have such a dedicated group of individuals," Walters-Steele said. "Much of the staff is working above and beyond what they would usually have to do."

UUSA hosts student activities, as well as academic classes and departments. Spencer said the consultants' report would help bring the multiple constituencies to the table.

"Probably a common thread is that we all wish there was more money to do what needs to be done," Spencer said. "Somehow we have to bring those perspectives to the table and set priorities for what we have to do."

Brooks said operations were becoming less stressful as more measures have been taken to shore up UUSA's staffing.

"It's on a week-by-week basis even still," Brooks said. "It's starting to stabilize a little, but for the past two months, we didn't know what was going to be happening each week."

Walters-Steele said the organization is trying to offer the campus community a similar product with fewer resources for the time being. However, she said UUSA might formally request extra budgetary resources.

"We're still struggling because it's very important to us to provide customer service," Walters-Steele said. "As we have to reduce staff, you have to look at what you have to do to maintain critical elements of the organization's mission."

Spencer hopes to find a healthy medium for UUSA, between balancing the budget and offering a quality student union.

"In terms of an ultimate vision, I'd say we would like to take a good department and make them even stronger and even better, and we're looking for a way to do that at a time when budgets are tight," Spencer said. "What are the best ways to ensure quality when the financial pressures are so strong?"

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