Spring Break
BSC/ Sodexho set to start negotiation process
Steven M. Miller, Jr.
Issue date: 4/12/07 Section: Campus News
- Page 1 of 1
With the binding contract between Bridgewater State College and Sodexho set to expire in 2008, negotiations are set to begin sometime next semester.
"We will know more about this process in the fall," said Margarita Vieira, Director of Administration Support Services. "We would like to have a plan in place before the old plan expires."
The pervious contract was a 10-year contract that was renewed with Sodexho in 1998. Since the college has had a vender, it has always used Sodexho or another subsidiary of the same company. A committee will most likely be formed to take a look at whether there will be a new contract, whether the college will keep the same vendor, and what might need to change with the existing contract. If any contract is made in the near future it will most likely be a multi-year contract.
While the college administration looks at the contract itself, the college will make sure to get students involved in the process. Vieira said that students were instrumental when the new dorm went up two semesters ago. The new dorm took up approximately 300 parking spaces in the residential lot and went up over last year's spring break.
"Without the students telling us what they would like to see happen there would have been a lot of complaint called in and e-mailed to my office," said Vieira. "Instead we had no problems from any students, along with the publicity campaign from Student Affairs."
One of the key things that the department of support services will be looking at will be the meal plans.
"We want to know what is and is not working for students," said Vieira. "We want to know what the students who live here and commute here think about any changes that we make."
Vieira said that the contract is very specific in terms of what the college spends and how Sodexho is billed. The Bridgewater and Sodexho both make their money from the meal plan itself and also from the catering service.
"The college administers the meal plan and then Sodexho makes its money from what they charge with the meal plan," said Vieira.
The college uses the money it charges students for the overhead, maintenance, renewals, and for the equipment that is used.
With the catering service, departments, student groups, and other groups may hold meetings somewhere on or off campus. Sodexho makes its money when it bills the college for the catering and then the college gets a commission when Sodexho uses the campuses space.
Vieira noted that another thing about the current contract is that Sodexho will give a certain amount to the college to help defray the cost of renovations and upkeep of the equipment. In addition, these funds are used to purchase new equipment.
"We will know more about this process in the fall," said Margarita Vieira, Director of Administration Support Services. "We would like to have a plan in place before the old plan expires."
The pervious contract was a 10-year contract that was renewed with Sodexho in 1998. Since the college has had a vender, it has always used Sodexho or another subsidiary of the same company. A committee will most likely be formed to take a look at whether there will be a new contract, whether the college will keep the same vendor, and what might need to change with the existing contract. If any contract is made in the near future it will most likely be a multi-year contract.
While the college administration looks at the contract itself, the college will make sure to get students involved in the process. Vieira said that students were instrumental when the new dorm went up two semesters ago. The new dorm took up approximately 300 parking spaces in the residential lot and went up over last year's spring break.
"Without the students telling us what they would like to see happen there would have been a lot of complaint called in and e-mailed to my office," said Vieira. "Instead we had no problems from any students, along with the publicity campaign from Student Affairs."
One of the key things that the department of support services will be looking at will be the meal plans.
"We want to know what is and is not working for students," said Vieira. "We want to know what the students who live here and commute here think about any changes that we make."
Vieira said that the contract is very specific in terms of what the college spends and how Sodexho is billed. The Bridgewater and Sodexho both make their money from the meal plan itself and also from the catering service.
"The college administers the meal plan and then Sodexho makes its money from what they charge with the meal plan," said Vieira.
The college uses the money it charges students for the overhead, maintenance, renewals, and for the equipment that is used.
With the catering service, departments, student groups, and other groups may hold meetings somewhere on or off campus. Sodexho makes its money when it bills the college for the catering and then the college gets a commission when Sodexho uses the campuses space.
Vieira noted that another thing about the current contract is that Sodexho will give a certain amount to the college to help defray the cost of renovations and upkeep of the equipment. In addition, these funds are used to purchase new equipment.
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