ETSU announced April 7 the launch of its new dining partnership with Sodexo.
The university terminated its contract with Aramark after 24 years of serving students together.
The contract was originally supposed to end in 2019 but was ended three years early so that the new food service provider could play an integral part in the D.P. Culp University Center’s renovations.
In January, ETSU issued a Request for Proposals to attract food service bidders. They received bids from two leading dining service companies, Sodexo and Aramark.
The contract with Sodexo is expected to begin July 1, 2016, and will bring a massive change in dining services that will directly impact the renovations that are expected to be completed in 2019. Renovations in main meal and the Atrium are expected to begin this summer.
While details of the contract are still being finalized, Bonnie Burchett, director of housing and residence life, was able to shed some light on what can be expected in the Culp Center starting next year.
“Next year will entail more dining options, and the Marketplace will remain open from 7 a.m. until 12 a.m.,” Burchett said.
There will be three choices of “Anytime 7 Day” meal plans next year. Anytime meal plans means students will have unlimited swipes into main meal seven days a week. Meal plans will include dining dollars and guest passes.
Time slots that are included on the current all access meal plans will also be removed, so students will not have a limit on spending based on the time of day.
There will also be areas for students to prepare their own meals, as well as additions where the food will be cooked to order.
As the semester comes to a close, the contract will be finalized and students can expect updates from ETSU via email.
“We are fortunate to have worked so long with Aramark, and they have served us well over the last 24 years,” Burchett said. “We received bids from two great accounts, but in the end, Sodexo was our choice.”
