U.M. searches for student friendly answer to Sodexo…

By Jordon D. Semien



  “If I had to give my opinion on the quality of the food, just based on the cafeteria, it’s very poor.” That’s the response of not just U.M. student Tavaris Dozier, but practically the whole of the student body.

   
  Twelve years have passed since the University signed Sodexo to the first of consecutive multi-year deals, and every year brings more and more complaints. Sodexo is yet to make many friends on campus, as they give students reason after reason to seek other food options.

  
  Majority of student grievances stem from the food selection offered in the University’s cafeteria. As Dozier stated, the campus’ dining options are a far cry from the expectations of students. “Me and my friends say every day we fell like we’re being cheated. Our tuition is steadily going up, but it’s not showing in the quality of food we’re receiving.”

      Dozier went on to say that though the Cafeteria offers a traditional Sunday brunch for students living on campus, he and his friends agree that it often feels as though Sodexo and their staff “throw food together and for the people here on the weekends, it’s kinda like we get the leftovers.”

       

  The University’s meal options consist of the campus Cafeteria, the World of Wings eatery in Farmer Hall, and Ollie’s in the Carmichael Library, with each one receiving their own individual set of complaints.

   Students rule the “Caf” as too busy and having a very slim selection in food, with what they do have to eat being deemed by the student body as innutritious, bland, or too processed to be identified. “WoW’s” selection is just as undesired and vastly overpriced, while Ollie’s is considered a last resort, often a far out of the way trip for most students.

     SGA Cafeteria Committee member Laura Beth Askelson shed light on the often debated subject of Sodexo’s possible replacement, now that their contract has run its course.

   

  “I think we have about three major bidders, including Sodexo.” Askelson said, “These contracts are renewed usually about every five years at other universities, but at Montevallo, they’ve been typically renewed about every Ten Years, if I remember correctly. Right Now Sodexo still has a chance to win the bidding war, so any rumors that Sodexo has been chosen are untrue, and there’s been no one chosen yet.”

    Askelson went on to conform the fears of many students, adding that odds are very strong that whether Sodexo is chosen for another stint or is replaced with either of the competing companies, the quality of food the campus receives may not improve.

    As for now, the student body and U.M. faculty will wait with all the patience of a child on Christmas morning for the final word to come from the board of directors of whether or not the era of Sodexo has finally passed.