Contact: Maridith Geuder
Mississippi State in March will begin offering on-campus dining provided by national foodservice contractor Aramark, pending approval by the Board of Trustees, State Institutions of Higher Learning.
Six other state universities currently have similar arrangements with external vendors.
The change will "redefine the dining experience at our university," said MSU President Robert H. "Doc" Foglesong.
"The arrangement with Aramark will help us broaden and update our menu selections, as well as provide millions of dollars to help improve and reinvest in our facilities," Foglesong said. "This is not an evolution, but a 'revolution' in moving us ahead."
Aramark, which provides food and support services to more than 400 colleges and universities nationwide, was recommended to Foglesong by a campus committee that began extensive research last November, said Bill Kibler, vice president for student affairs.
"As part of the process, student, faculty and staff representatives made visits to other schools with similar services and evaluated competing proposals from major vendors," Kibler explained. Mississippi State will join most other schools in the Southeastern Conference in making a transition consistent with national trends, he added.
Key to Mississippi State's decision was the company's ability to provide a greater selection of dining choices for students, expanded hours of operation, and increased number of food outlets around campus, Kibler said.
Current food service staffers are guaranteed continued employment and a 5 percent pay increase at the time of the transition.
"In addition, Aramark will establish a five percent bonus pool for merit-based increases beginning next January," said Bill Broyles, assistant vice president of student affairs and co-chair of the evaluating committee.
Chris Clifford, MSU director of budget and finance and the other evaluating committee co-chair, said, "Our new partnership with Aramark brings with it more than $5 million that will allow us to renovate and refresh dining facilities on campus."
The company also will provide a commission on sales, Clifford said.
Broyles said, "Mississippi State has provided a good dining experience over time, and we feel that Aramark can help us bring both our facilities and our food selections to the next level. We're excited at the possibilities for our students, as well as for our faculty and staff."
Changes MSU patrons can expect include, among others:
--Additional food franchises in the Gaddis Hunt Commons of Colvard Student Union, a central-campus facility scheduled to open in August after a 16-month renovation. Returning and new outlets are Chick-fil-A; Sbarro Italian restaurant; a full-service Starbucks; Miso Noodle and Sushi Bar; and Zoca Mexican Grille. The commons also will include Aramark's C-Store, an express convenience store.
--Renovation of the existing Perry Cafeteria, with upgrading and expansion of food choices. The facility, which will undergo renovation in the summer of 2008, will reopen that fall as the Marketplace Restaurant at Perry Dining Hall.
Popular food stations such as Southern cooking will continue at Perry, with additional emphasis on cook-to-order, fresh foods, and specialty lines that include pizzas, pastas, and vegetarian menus.
Students, faculty, and staff will be able to purchase meal plans or pay one all-you-care-to-eat price at the door. The average cost of a meal for someone purchasing a plan will be approximately $6, or 18 percent lower than the current average.
Other changes include:
--A full-service Burger King restaurant at the Roberts Building near Sessums and McKee residence halls on the east campus, with extended hours for late-night dining.
--A refurbished State Fountain and Bakery that will feature fresh-daily baked goods and the addition of Freshens brand smoothies.
--Einstein Brothers Café at Mitchell Memorial Library, featuring specialty bagels and sandwiches, and an Einstein Express at Roy H. Ruby Residence Hall. In addition, a convenience store will be opened at Hurst Hall in MSU's Northeast Village.
--A new deli/convenience store at Hathorn Hall on MSU's south campus, also accommodating Rice and Creswell residence halls.
--Improvements to Pegasus Dining Room at Wise Center, home of the College of Veterinary Medicine. Plans for a small dining facility located in McArthur Hall, an administrative building, are under consideration.
See also Pros and Cons.