The Student Center may not receive expected revenues because of a lack of student patronage at University Bookstore which could result in funding problems in the future, a Student Center official says.

Greg Tatham, Student Center director, said price wars between area bookstores has resulted in less business at the University Bookstore. He said the Student Center may fall behind in funds for the rest of the semester because of this.

However, Tatham said he is not overly concerned that the possible loss of revenue from the bookstore will put the Student Center in a desperate situation with funds.

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The outcome of the Student Center’s revenue concerns has yet to be determined, but Tatham said he is optimistic.

If the bookstore continues to lose revenue, we will have to make adjustments, Tatham said.

Adjustments could include downsizing programs, reducing operating hours and limiting lounge maintenance and renovations at the center, he said.

The money used for Student Center operations is generated through retail operations including food sales at McDonald’s and other restaurants, check cashing services, commissions from vending machines, rent paid on ATM space and bookstore sales, Tatham said. The Student Center is operated independently because there is no money appropriated to the Student Center by the University, he said.

Tatham said he recognizes that the added competition from the new Saluki Bookstore, 701 E. Grand, which opened in November, puts a strain on the book sales at University Bookstore. However, he said he believes the other area bookstores all suffered similar drops in patronage.

Area bookstore manager’s had different views. Lee Blankenship, manager of 710 Bookstore, 710 S. Illinois, said his business has been really busy and textbook sales have remained the same.

Craig Case, manager of Saluki Bookstore, said the store’s book sales were what he had anticipated. He also said the store maintains a positive relationship with the University and said he would like for that to continue.

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Sigurd Utgaard, manager of Rosetta News, 210 W. Freeman, said the store narrowed the list of textbooks it sells this semester which helped his business.