4.16.2008

Big Changes Coming to the DC Next Year

**WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS MORE THAN 300 WORDS**

As you may have heard, Aramark had their contract renewed for food service at Vassar. That doesn't mean that there won't be any changes, though.

According to an article from the Misc:

"Local sources currently provide about 30 percent of Vassar’s food, and Aramark’s contract proposal indicates that they will bring that number up to 40 percent within the next five years."

"Trays will also be eliminated from the All Campus Dining Center (ACDC), if not by Fall 2008 then by Fall 2009."

"Next year, students will have two methods of purchasing food: They will have “all you care to eat” meals in ACDC, but will have declining balance points for use in à la cart locations, including the Retreat, the Atrium, Java City and the Kiosk. Students will also be able to use meals to purchase express lunches."

"Renovations will be necessary in order to facilitate the “all you care to eat” meal system. When entering ACDC, students will swipe only once, and will then be able to get as much food as they desire. “Students can even sit down, then decide they’re still hungry, and go and get seconds,” Warners explained.

The style of service will also change dramatically. The beverage areas on both sides of ACDC will be moved into the seating area, and more service stations will be installed in their place. “Because there will be more stations, lines will be shorter,” said Silver. Additionally, all of the menus will be expanded over the summer with more options.

The College plans to invest about $250,000 into initial renovations scheduled to be completed by Fall 2008 and will add dramatic interior changes to style and layout over the following summer, to be completed by Fall 2009."

The article also notes that there will be an open forum for discussion on April 23 with Aramark.

Personally, I think all this is exciting!! These changes make it look as if Aramark really does care about the students' well-being, contrary to consensus (e.g., the flyers EVERYWERE) last semester.
SPRiNKLES

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Aramark does not care about the well-being of workers or students, what they care about is getting contracts and profits.

Anonymous said...

i second that.


~Rad

Anonymous said...

i also agree. i am really surprised and also disappointed that the administration decided to renew the contract of a company that is so clearly disliked by the student body

Anonymous said...

yeah, it's very strange that most of the student body expressed dislike of Aramark, and the student committees who represent us also dislike Aramark, and yet, despite all this, the administration lets Aramark stay. maybe there's some kind of unspoken deal or money going under the table. who knows.

in any case, "completed by fall 2008" means "50% done by class of 2009 commencement" in Vassar time.

Anonymous said...

I don't really understand the distaste for Aramark.... Maybe it's just me, or just because I'm a freshman, but I really have no complaints about the company. It's a step-up from high school meals.

Also, the full reasoning for renewing their contract is provided in either the Misc article, or J.J.'s e-mail.

Anonymous said...

"the student committees who represent us also dislike Aramark" - my understanding is that the food committee (all students, all who had access to the proposals of these companies) supported this decision.