Marriott Under Reevaluation As Food Service Provider

To the disgruntled Vegetarians of Trinity: now is your moment to vent. Sodexho-Marriott is being reevaluated. This reevaluation began last year and is ongoing, coinciding with reevaluations of other student services like cable TV and vending machines.

The school is working with a consultant, approved by Marriott, for the reevaluation. A committee made up of students; faculty, administrators, SGA members, and Amy Howard, Director of Campus Life, was formed to evaluate the food service.

The committee and the consultant will put together a recommendation on whether to keep Marriott or suggest another provider.

Howard says, "It is my understanding that the committee I am chairing will make a recommendation. That recommendation will be heard by senior level administrators and probably the faculty." She also says that student input is vital in the process. "We began with focus groups to get student interaction. Currently the committee has some student volunteers, and we're looking for student members." When asked about what she has heard from students about the food service, Howard said, "In the limited amount of input I've received there has been mixed reviews."

Howard says, "The work group committee formed will do the core of the work. They will look at the bids from other companies and do site visits."

Jeffrey Coleman, Chair of the Student Resource Committee of SGA is on a committee focusing on food quality. A preliminary concern Coleman voiced was, "There doesn't seem like much of a variety between food in the Cave and the Bistro. Students really don't have a second choice if they do not like Mather and want something different than fast food. We'd like to see the Cave and the Bistro have different selections."

Howard says the recent labor negotiations did not initiate the reevaluation. She says, "There is a need for periodic review of all servicesŠall the student services undergo audits." Howard was glad that the dispute did come to a conclusion, and says that even if the school changes providers, the current workers will remain the same.

Student Pete Ross '03 says, "I enjoy going to the Cave and the Bistro- in Mather the food is never hot enough. Outside Mather I think the food is really good." Many vegetarians have expressed that the "Wellness" section in Mather that is supposed to cater to meatless eating is inadequate in selection and taste.

Howard wanted to emphasize how important it was to get student input, "There is a quality of life survey that is being distributed by RA's that students should take advantage of. Input is important- some of the attendance at meetings set up for this purpose is discouraging. Students can send me e-mail, I read them all."

So now is the time to communicate any issues you may have with the food service. The committee will begin its work after the December break. Contact Amy Howard if you have any concerns or would like to be a part of the reevaluation.