CDT Summer 2022 - 13

Once a controversial topic, now a utilitarian discussion.
Post-Covid, collegiate dining operators are examining
all facets of operations-including self-operated and
contracted services. in this article, several nACUFS
members come together to discuss the considerations
on both sides. the bottom line? Each is out to serve the
mission of its campus best and exceed customer and
administration expectations. this is just the tip of the
iceberg, with the hopes of triggering deeper and more
supportive conversations within the collegiate dining
community.
HISTORY AND CULTURE
AUBREY: Higher education has many examples of
self-operation to outsourcing, outsourcing to selfoperation,
and additional iterations. Each institution
bases its decision on the landscape of higher education,
enrollment goals, academic focus, student success,
and stewardship of resources. A thought to consider in
history: most institutions started as self-operated before
outsourcing emerged.
GOLDBERG: Kent State had been a contract school
for over 30 years, and no one had challenged that. Most
recently, in 2018, the campus moved from a long-time
partner to a new one-adding much unrest on campus
over the change. there was little discussion as to a
change of model. As a byproduct of my hiring, followed
by Covid's financial challenges, i led an analysis of
the model we had at that time. the campus was ripe
for change due to the suspect performance of the
last contract partner and open to a new vision with its
possibilities. As an activist student campus, their voice
favored a self-operated model. At previous stops, there
was definitely a leaning toward self-operation, but i have
learned nothing is absolute.
GREENE: the historical dining experience and
partnerships within a university could impact future
decisions on operational dining models. institutions that
have provided great levels of service and experienced
financial success are more likely to keep their existing
model; alternatively, campuses that are frustrated with
their current model will likely consider other approaches
to enhance the student dining experience and ensure
long-term financial stability. Changes in institutional
leadership can also act as a catalyst to reconsider the
current dining model, whether that's contracted or selfoperated.
SHRIVASTAV:
the institution is focused on serving the
students' needs in the best manner. We had Sodexo on
campus running the indiana Memorial Union. Merging togo
with self-operated served the students and gave them
the use of their meal plan across campus.
MANAGEMENT AND
ORGANIZATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
GOLDBERG: i think the current labor market is affecting
either business model, perhaps with an advantage
to contractors who operate with a bench. However,
turnover is a problem on the contractor side, along
with the seemingly unplanned movement to other
locations. A " double-edged " sword, if you will. At my
current institution, part of the demise of the contractor
relationship was the volatility and inability to keep a
leader. While that may be an isolated case, it was a
catalyst for change.
GREENE: Contracted facilities have a deep and
available talent pool, but in my experience, many of those
employees have operational and creative limitations due
to company parameters. Alternatively, if a self-operated
institution has a positive and visible brand, it can easily
recruit top talent to meet the needs of its campus.
national or regional search firms focused on dining can
often help bridge any hiring gaps.
WHITE: Contract management companies have an
edge in attracting young management talent because
of corporate training programs and wide advancement
opportunities. However, the best talent in these
companies tends to advance to positions of increased
responsibility rapidly, and it is not unusual for individual
members of an institution's management team to remain
in place for only two to three years. the " Big three "
management companies in campus dining-Aramark,
Sodexo, and Chartwells-all indicate that, due to growth,
the biggest challenge they face in their organizations is
the ability to field consistently high-quality management
teams. And one of the biggest challenges for universities
in the contract management model is retaining a strong
on-site management team once it is established.
in a self-operated scenario, the recruiting, selection,
and retention of top-quality management rest with the
institution. Larger-sized, self-operated programs, by
ContRACt oR SELF-oP? | CAMPUS DINING TODAY
13

CDT Summer 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CDT Summer 2022

CDT Summer 2022 - 1
CDT Summer 2022 - 2
CDT Summer 2022 - 3
CDT Summer 2022 - 4
CDT Summer 2022 - 5
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nacufs/NACUFS/campusdiningtodaynationaledition2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/nacufs/NACUFS/summer-2024-campus-dining-today
https://www.nxtbook.com/nacufs/NACUFS/spring-2024-campus-dining-today
https://www.nxtbook.com/nacufs/NACUFS/winter-2023-campus-dining-today
https://www.nxtbook.com/nacufs/NACUFS/cdt-summer-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/nacufs/NACUFS/cdt-national-conference
https://www.nxtbook.com/nacufs/NACUFS/campusdiningtodayspring2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/nacufs/NACUFS/cdt-fall-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/nacufs/NACUFS/cdtsummer2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/nacufs/NACUFS/campusdiningtodayspring2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/nacufs/NACUFS/campusdiningtodayfall-winter2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/nacufs/NACUFS/campusdiningtodaysummer2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/nacufs/NACUFS/campus-dining-today-spring-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/nacufs/NACUFS/Winter2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nacufs/NACUFS/summer2020campusdiningtoday
https://www.nxtbook.com/nacufs/NACUFS/Spring2020
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com