Kim Manahan (Whetstone staff writer)

The Whetstone/Kim Manahan

Because of budget cuts, some students may be cleaning their own toilets this year.

Aramark’s budget has been cut by 14 percent.
“It is affecting [us] quite a bit,” said Chuck Arthur, facility director for Aramark at Wesley.

Aramark contracts services of maintenance to all of the grounds of the college, which includes 58 acres and 25 buildings.

Eric Nelson, vice president for finance, requested the reduction, Arthur said.

“We looked at the budget closely,” Nelson said. “[We] asked Aramark to take a look [at their budget] and asked where they could cut back.”

Nelson said this is a cost saving measure.

Wesley pays Aramark for the contract, and Aramark pays its employees from that money, Arthur said. The reduction began Sept. 1.

In the 2008-2009 year, Wesley paid Aramark Facility Services about $2.1 million.

To meet these demands, Arthur had to lay off members of his staff, and reduce the hours of facilities operations. He also had to reduce from 40 man-hours a week to 37.5 and eliminate overtime.

Shift hours changed, two housekeepers were laid off, leaving 17, and two grounds workers were laid off, leaving six.

There have been no changes to Aramark’s operating hours, Nelson said.

Other areas of the school also are affected.

“We’ve asked people to cut back on supplies,” he said. Instead of getting six ink cartridges, buy one.

“In the president’s budget, we reduced the amount of money that pays for functions,” said Dr. William Johnston, president of the college. “We reduced travel. Part of my job is needing to be out there too.”

As of now, there have been no changes in salaries, Nelson said.

“Nationally, salaries are not going up,” Johnston said. “Lots of places are making cuts.”

There are more changes still taking place, Arthur said.

“We are still discussing overtime that is required by Wesley,” he said.

This includes Open House, sports and other events that occur out of operating hours.

“We put the request in to Eric Nelson, say how many hours need to be spent, and he will pay out of the college’s budget,” Arthur said.