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Marketing and University Communication UW-Green Bay, CL 815 2420 Nicolet Drive Green Bay, WI 54311-7001 (920) 465-2626 E-mail: hildebrs@uwgb.edu Last update: 10/1/07 |
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In
the News Archive - Year:
July 9, 2003 UWGB library to cut hours to save money By Cynthia Hodnett UW-Green Bay Chancellor Bruce Shepard has said the university faces
nearly $2.4 million in cuts in the next two years. That includes a reduction
of $954,700 in each year of the biennium and a one-time reduction of $472,850
in 2003-04.
Although the reductions to the library are small compared to others,
they are a part of a larger effort that the university must make to trim
its budget because of the state's proposed budget, which calls for a $250
million cut in funding to the UW System.
Some of those who work for the library don't object to the change.
"I think it's a good idea because there is hardly anyone here at night,
and they have to pay one or two people to stay here," said Ryan Sette,
a 20-year-old junior and music major who has worked at the library for
two years. "As far as my job, it means that I could start work earlier
and have time to do other things."
Robin Kuklinski, 21, a senior social work major, said she works about
20 hours a week at the library. Her shift often lasts until closing.
"I think it will impact some, but I wouldn't try to find another job
because doing school and working here is enough," Kuklinski said.
The library now stays open to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. Under
the new schedule it will close at 11 p.m. on those days but will remain
open until 1 a.m. some days during final exams.
Leanne Hansen, library director, said not enough students used the library
late at night.
"The peak hours are between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.," she said. "We have
a large number of commuting students on this campus. They don't have to
be here in the evening, so they want to get their library work done during
the day. I think if we closed in the morning or in the middle of the day,
I think that would impact students more."
The library's annual budget for supplies and other expenses is $162,700,
Hansen said. Reducing the hours would save $4,000 during the 2003-04 academic
year. This amount would have been used to pay the wages of students who
would have worked during the evening hours, she said.
University officials have said reducing the hours would eliminate the
need for a night supervisor in the library. That move would save the university
$32,000 in the next two-year state budget cycle. The cuts are part of
the university's proposed overall budget reduction.
UWGB has an operating budget of about $74 million for 2002-03, of which
$25 million comes from taxpayers. Shepard said he did not know what the
final numbers for next year's operating budget would be.
Hansen said information from the library will continue to be available
online, including through the AskWisconsin Consortium, a group of 20 libraries
from across the state. Each library, including the one at UWGB, provides
virtual reference programs that allow users to access information via
the Internet.
Hansen said the university will examine each semester whether to extend
the hours to 1 a.m. again.
Library hours
New Cofrin Library hours from Sept. 2 to Dec. 12
Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. Other effects of proposed budget
• A reduction of $186,000 in funding for part-time instructors
at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, a measure that will leave 540
students without seats in classes they will need.
• Elimination of $423,000 that UWGB expected to receive for Learning
Experience, an academic program that stresses a more personalized approach
to education.
• An effort to reduce to part time and eliminate several full-time
jobs. Of this, 16 full-time jobs will be eliminated as a part of a system-wide
reduction of 650 positions. The UW System said the jobs would be reduced
or eliminated by next academic year.
Source: UWGB
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