Gathered in DuBourg Hall on Tuesday, three groups of food service executives made their final pleas, endured more than an hour of interrogation and left not knowing their futures.
“An agreement will be reached by Friday,” said Kathy Humphrey, vice president for Student Development.
Chartwells, Aramark and Sodexho placed bids several weeks ago for the multi-million dollar contract, and those bids have continued to rachet up the benefits as each tries to outdo the other-all in hopes of turning Saint Louis University dining service into a “showcase” account, according to Mike Cappel, Student Government Association president and committee member.
“They get to design what they want and will have a long-term account,” Cappel noted.
Cappel added that for Chartwells and Aramark, SLU is an appealing market where neither has a strong presence. Since SLU is a Jesuit university, Cappel suspects those two vendors might be trying to break down Sodexho’s hold on 18 of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities.
Mike Rozier, another committee member, added that several company presidents were in attendance at the final meeting on Tuesday. “Both companies said they don’t fly in their presidents for every account,” he said.
The Tuesday meetings were the final chance for vendors to defend their proposal and up the ante.
Each vendor met with two committees, one for finance and one for programming.
“We separated the two committees because I didn’t want finances to set the programming,” Humphrey explained.
Questions from the programming committee ranged from maintaining Campus Kitchen service program to the types of food concepts available. Management philosophies were also discussed with some supporting the expansion of services to attract more sales and others believing that keeping services above average maintains a strong consumer base. Employment issues were also discussed, including replacing managers and reviewing current employees.
“Whoever the University chooses, food quality should improve,” Cappel said.
No matter which provider is chosen, meal plan pricing is likely to increase, he said.
“We’re trying to maintain the lowest possible price for University students while getting a large upfront commitment for the Busch Memorial Center,” Cappel said. “Any increase would be small and incremental.”
Cappel suggested increases would be above the current 3 percent each year but less than 10 percent a year.
While the food-service provider must commit financially to the renovated student union, they will play an active role in designing the facilities.
This design factor has sped up the process to award the contract. Cappel said that the BMC will be under renovation starting June 2, and the floor plans must soon be finalized.
On Monday, the contract winner will meet with architects to begin finalizing the design.
Student opinion seems to oppose the renewal of Sodexho’s contract, and Cappel notes that Sodexho’s history may affect them in the final decision.
“As student body president, and from the feelings on campus, Sodexho has more to overcome to win the contract,” he said.
In a memo to student government senators, Nick Fagan, who has been a part of the quality committee and visited several schools to compare vendors, said, “As a student leader, I cannot support Sodexho in their bid for the contract. They have been so badly vilified by students that it would be a grave political mistake for SGA to partner with them.”
Fagan continued, “A brand new management team and promises of improvement will not prove acceptable to the students, as they have no faith that the quality will improve without bringing in a new company.”
