The University of Tulsa has announced some additional cost-saving measures in response to budget changes. These changes are intended to minimize the effect of the budget cuts on students. Administration has decided to target shuttle services, custodial services and energy conservation as part of this aim.
Shuttle services allow students to have transportation around campus and off campus. Currently, the shuttle runs 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for special events. Under the new plan, the shuttle will run 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for special events. The three routes (red, blue and gold) will be combined into two. One route will run counterclockwise around campus, and the other clockwise.
The Oxley College of Health Sciences will continue to be an off-campus shuttle stop; services to the Gilcrease museum, however, will be eliminated. Service to the North campus will be available at 8:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 5:00 p.m.
Another budget change will reduce the frequency of custodial services to all non-student housing. Individual offices will now only receive cleaning once per week. All classrooms, restrooms and common areas in athletic, academic and administrative buildings will continue at their normal schedule.
The historic temperature targets for buildings will also be altered. Starting November 1, all buildings except the residence halls, Lorton Performance Center, Mabee Legal Information Center, McFarlin Library, Gilcrease Museum, the Helmerich Center and the Zarrow Center will be affected. These areas all need certain humidity controls to preserve items like books and instruments. Affected buildings will see the temperature controls at 70oC for the winter and 74oC in the summer.
These changes were made in concert with consultants, who, according to Mona Chamberlin, Director of Marketing and Communications, “helped us identify ways other universities were handling similar challenges.” From their consultations, the university decided to “create leaner staffs” and enact some of the changes described above.
Chamberlin acknowledged that decreased energy prices have affected enrollment in energy-related programs. Many students in those majors have more to similar degree programs, like mechanical engineering.
