Student Union Maintenance Account ($2 increase)

An increase of $2 is necessary if the Association is to pay its proportion of the Union budget. This budget covers the running costs and maintenance of the Union Building, Memorial Theatre, Gymnasium and Tennis Pavilion.

The total budget for 1971 is $51,500 of which we pay half ($25,750). With the $5 fee a surplus of approximately $5,000 will result in the 1971 budget and this, with the previous years' surplus, is to be used to upgrade the Gym and Theatre.

In 1972 maintenance costs will rise approximately 15% to $58,800 and at $7 per head ($42,500) this will leave a surplus of $12,500. About $8000 of this is required for upgrading the ground floor cafeteria leaving reserves of $4,500 which will easily be utilised in other maintenance jobs.

1973 will see an extra 25,000 square feet added to the facilities thus increasing maintenance costs by 25%. This rise, coupled with the expected normal rise of 15%, means the total budget will approach $84,000 and at $7 per head students will provide $44,100. The $2,100 excess is barely adequate to cover additional maintenance contracts (eg painting, refurnishing etc.)

Although the University matches the Association portion of the maintenance fund equally, it also pays supervisory salories and the maintenance and administrative cost entirely out of university funds. Thus in reality the students' association pays about 1/3 of the total costs of running the Union. We may not always be blessed with this generosity on the part of the University.