Dear Colleagues,
 
During my many campus meetings this summer and fall, a number of colleagues expressed concern about the Student Recreation Center usage fee of $20 a month for faculty and staff.
 
I said on each time the question was posed that I would provide you with an update on the matter towards the end of the fall semester.
 
I have recently reviewed the information about the Center’s utilization and financial situation for the first five months of its operation. Since the Student Recreation Center is a self-supported auxiliary, we need to be certain that our budget staff has accurately forecasted the revenue needed to support the expenditures for operation, maintenance, programming needs and debt service.
 
This is a challenging endeavor given the uncertainty of the fiscal environment for the University in light of additional anticipated budget cuts from the Commonwealth.
 
I am, however, committed to reviewing the membership fee structure during the upcoming budget process this spring, and will make recommendations for modifications that would go into effect for university faculty and staff in July 2010. I am 100 percent committed that we must find ways to reach out to employees during a time of no raises.
 
In addition, Kevin Marbury, Director of Recreation and Wellness, has formed a Recreation and Wellness Advisory Board comprised of student and staff representatives. The staff members include: Daniel Terrell, Housing Services; Kathryn Boone, Perry Library; Trey Mayo, Interdisciplinary Studies; Bruce Stewart, Athletics; Deb Swiecinski, Administration and Finance and Betsy Kennedy, Human Movement Sciences.
 
I appreciate all the feedback I received from many colleagues this semester regarding the Rec Center.
 
Sincerely yours,
 
John R. Broderick
President