University staff who survived layoffs and hiring freezes report rising workloads, anxiety and exhaustion as campuses shrink payrolls to close budget gaps. At the University of California San Diego, animal‑care technicians saw caseloads surge after cuts and staff worry research quality and compliance could suffer. The staffing squeeze is raising retention and regulatory questions in research operations. Meanwhile, college athletes are confronting an epidemic of online harassment and threats, with the NCAA identifying basketball players as especially vulnerable around major events. Student mental health and campus safety officials say mounting abuse on social platforms is altering athletes’ decisions to participate and can demand law‑enforcement intervention. Clarification: NCAA data shows abuse spikes during high‑profile competition windows such as March Madness, when betting‑related harassment rises sharply.