As part of a 10-year contract to run Eastern Michigan University’s foodservice, Chartwells will invest $5 million in the Ypsilanti, Mich., university, as well as provide it with $18 million in capital improvements, according to a report by the Detroit Free Press.
The university’s board of regents approved the contract on Tuesday, citing the new revenue as an opportunity to expand and improve campus foodservice. EMU’s website indicates the partnership will allow for more student input as well as the introduction of food trucks and improved technology.
“The primary reason for seeking to enter into this truly transformative agreement are the substantial financial incentives and capital investments that the vendor will make in our university,” interim President Donald Loppnow told the Detroit Free Press. “Funding from an outside vendor makes it possible to expand and upgrade dining facilities while maintaining the high-quality food offerings and services that have been our standard here.”
Some, however, do not share Loppnow’s optimism. Earlier this week, students and union representatives petitioned against the privatization, claiming a lack of university transparency and high probability of job loss among workers. Furthermore, opponents expressed concern over increased costs for lower food quality, highlighting problems with outsourced foodservice operations at some Michigan prisons as cautionary examples.
The university holds that food quality will remain a foremost priority and that current foodservice employees will be protected. The contract goes into effect July 1.