Two weeks ago, the Executive Board met with representatives from Sodexho and Hospitality Services. As part of the process aimed at revitalizing our services and facilities on the first floor of the Union, we determined that we were not achieving our full potential with the convenience store offerings available through Father’s. While Father’s maintains the lowest prices on soda on our campus and offers Coca-Cola products, it was felt that we could do more. With that in mind Sodexho, Union employees, and student government explored ways to expand our Father’s program and ultimately proposed a tremendous plan. The recommended solution to enter a management partnership over the facility with Sodexho was recently unanimously approved.
Next fall, there will be significant changes made to the lower floor of the Union. Father’s and the post office will have been completely gutted, painted, and restocked. Freshen’s and Starbucks will be moving from the McNeil Room “kiosk” location and will become a permanent fixture of Father’s. Through the partnership with Sodexho, Father’s will be offering a wider array of foods and pre-prepared meals that can be warmed onsite or taken home. In order to make this new facility possible, the current post office operation will be moving operations into the office and counter space currently occupied by Games Room materials. With minor retraining and reassignment of Games Room staff, we will be able to expand the services in both areas. The Games Room will open at an earlier time and we will be in a position to maintain continuous service during regular hours at the Post Office.
By now I know there are many questions. Many hope that when Starbucks is moved down to Father’s that we might finally expand our Starbucks drink services and perhaps include Starbucks brand foods. Unfortunately this is virtually impossible, because our contract with Starbucks is a grandfathered version of the old “We Proudly Brew Starbucks” programs. If we want to expand our Starbucks menus and services, we need to purchase an extremely expensive license. Regarding prices: Just like in every business operation within the Union, prices are consistently monitored by the Executive Board and any price increases require Executive Board approval. Under our new partnership with Sodexho, this will not change. Prior to this new agreement, the E-Board approved price increases on soda. These prices will be maintained by Sodexho and reviewed by next year’s Executive Board.
This is an extremely positive move for both the Union and the student body as a whole as it will enable us to offer a wider selection of food options until later in the evenings as is consistently requested by you, our peers.
