Student Council and the Housing Division reached an agreement last week regarding the cessation of cleaning suite bathrooms in the Brown College and the Gooch-Dillard residence areas.
Housekeeping has agreed to limitedly clean the residents' restrooms until next semester.
"Our shared goal, Council's and Housing's, was to see that the cuts were made in the best way possible for our students," Chief Housing Officer Mark Doherty said.
Residents of Gooch-Dillard and Brown College were notified Friday of the new agreement.
Restrooms now will be thoroughly cleaned by housekeeping once during the calendar months of October, November and December.
By the start of the spring 2003 semester, residents will be solely responsible for the cleaning of their restrooms. This transitional period will provide a buffer for students, Doherty said.
Residents will receive a list of suggested supplies and cleaning tips at the end of this semester. They also will be able to check out a broom, dustpan, mop and mop bucket from resident coordinators during the year.
At the beginning of the school year, the Housing Division notified residents of Brown College and Gooch-Dillard that suite bathrooms in these areas would no longer be cleaned. Looming budget cuts forced the Housing Division to curtail services on short notice.
The Housing Division decided these cuts were the most cost effective and least burdensome to students.
"The timing wasn't the best, but it wasn't manipulated either," Doherty said. "No one takes any joy in this -- reducing services."
Council approached the Housing Division with numerous concerns following the initial announcement.
"We wanted to ensure the cuts were being administered in a way that was in the best interest of our constituents," Council Executive Vice President Ronnie Mayhew said. "We wanted to make sure the housing agreement was being honored, which it was."
The Housing Division welcomed these concerns.
"Council wanted to make sure it understood the process," Doherty said. "I think they represented student interests very well."
Both sides approached the issue with the common goal of best serving students.
Ultimately, the level of housekeeping services at Gooch-Dillard and Brown College will resemble that in other upperclassmen housing areas such as Lambeth, Faulkner, Bice and Copeley where no restroom cleaning service is provided.
Students seem pleased with the transitional arrangement.
"I have had nothing but good comments and feedback from residents, resident staff and other students," said Mayhew, who also is an RC in Gooch.
Students said they now accept cost saving reductions as facts of life at the University.
"I know they have to save money, so I think that it is a good compromise," said Sarah Goodin, a second-year College student and Dillard resident.
Doherty emphasized that cuts were not only directed at services applied to students.
For example, the Housing Division decided to mail its housing newsletter electronically as opposed to in print which will save approximately $20,000.
To further cut costs, Saturday mail delivery has been stopped.
The Housing Division will not reduce the cost of housing in Gooch-Dillard and Brown College next year as a result of the cuts in cleaning services.
"It's not about compensation, it's about the benefit to the entire University system," Doherty said.
Doherty does not anticipate any changes to the cleaning in first-year dormitories.
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