Aramark in, renovations in the works

By Emily Gummelt

Aramark Higher Education has secured the rights to serve Missouri Western students for another eight years. This also means that students may be seeing a renovated dining hall.

A committee comprised of students, faculty and staff met recently to discuss the two bid proposals made by Aramark and Sodexo Education.

The Board of Governors approved Aramark’s bid proposal. Aramark will provide almost $3.5 million to Western over the next eight years in projected commission revenue, capital investment, scholarships and other financial considerations.

Mel Klinkner, vice president of financial planning and administration, explained that both proposals were promising, but that Aramark was more ambitious than Sodexo.
“Aramark had more of a capital investment into improvements than Sodexo Education did,” Klinkner said. “Aramark had $100,000 in their plan to renovate the dining hall. They just seemed to be a little more visionary on the things that they were doing and willing to do, investment-wise.”

Klinkner explained another reason why Aramark seemed to be the better choice in Western’s favor.

“Another thing was that their projected commission revenues were higher,” Klinkner said.

A wide variety of Western minds joined together to provide their input on this important campus decision.

Director of Residential Life Michael Speros, a member of the Food Service Bid Selection Committee, said members felt good about the decision to choose Aramark.
“It was a difficult decision,” Speros said. “But once we sifted through everything, we were pleased with Aramark’s bid.”

Duane Bruce, the associate dean for student development, enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of this decision.

“It was a great experience serving on the committee,” Bruce said. “The process took several months and in the end the decision was made in the best interest of the students and the university as a whole.”

Klinkner said there are plans to do a lot of capital investments.

He would like to establish two committees – one consisting primarily of students to focus on looking at the dining experience for students. The second committee would deal with the catering side of what Aramark does for the University. This way, this group could possibly meet every month with Aramark and provide feedback about any areas of concern.

“It would become more of a question on what we can do together to make improvements,” Klinkner said.

Other members of the Food Service Bid Selection Committee consisted of Richard Gilmore; associate vice president of financial planning, Carey McMillian; chief accountant/director of purchasing, Kendall Bell; residence council representative, David Schutt; SGA representative, Gregory Harris; a student at large, Diane Pace; a non-traditional student, Amanda Daly; another non-traditional student, Evelyn Brooks; a faculty member, Karen Elifrits; executive administrative assistant to the president, Patty Kuechler; director of special programs, Patsy Smith; associate director of athletics and Kim Weddle; executive administrative assistant to the vice president of advancement.

Klinker made the point that board rates will most likely jump next year.

This is because past rate increases have not kept up with the rising cost of food. The committee will negotiate with Aramark to get the most positive and preferred board rate possible.

Klinkner wants the board to be aware that when they come back with a proposed rate in the next month or so, there will probably be a larger increase.