Budget cuts affect groundskeeping on campus

The WSU groundskeeping crew grapples with budget cuts as the number of employees hits an all-time low.

From a peak of 19 employees down to 14, each employee has more assignments and there is more ground to cover than employees to cover it, said Grounds Supervisor Kathrin Brun.

Brun is responsible for WSU groundskeeping and crew members tasked with a diverse amount of responsibilities including litter removal, irrigation systems, sidewalks and all landscapes.

“Safety is the highest priority and we want to make sure the environment is as safe as it can be,” she said. “We want walkways to be clear of not just ice or snow but also acorns, wet leaves or gravel. Safety is number one priority and aesthetics is secondary.” With the budget crunch, even keeping up with the priority of safety is becoming increasingly difficult, Brun said. During snowy days this winter, many pathways were blocked off due to a lack of man power.