Because of the recent renovations to the cafeteria and new food policies, Sodexho has come under scrutiny. Recently the Independent spoke to Felicia Keelen, Director of the Student Union, and Bill Reich, the Dining Services Manager for Sodexho. Both were considerate enough to answer questions we had about the new renovations, policies, and prices Sodexho has adopted. The first question we asked Director Keelen concerned the new renovations on the cafeteria and the surrounding area. She informed us that the funding from the cafeteria came from the Student Union’s budget. This was money that the Student Union was allocated from the Student Union fee in the university’s budget. She made it clear that the funding did not affect student activities in any way, and that it was considered a building renovation. The funding for the renovations also went towards buying the new picnic tables, napkin dispensers, and other amenities one can see in the cafeteria today. She said that the new features would create a different atmosphere for the entire area. Director Keelen did not know exactly when Sodexho came on campus, but she stated that they have been on campus since before she started her position back in 2003. At the time, they had a five-year contract renewal, now they just have a year-to-year contract. This means that NEIU decides every year if Sodexho should continue to provide food services to the university. For the evening students that come to classes when the cafeteria is closed, Director Keelen suggests they try going to Café Descartes. While there is not as much variety, students can still purchase sandwiches and other treats there. Bill Reich clarified the confusion about the food handling course required by those wishing to serve food at campus events. He explained that the course is actually a 20-30 minute overview of basic food handling and food safety procedures. It would need to be completed two weeks before the event. The reason why most of the food handling and catering rules only apply to the Student Union is because Sodexho only has jurisdiction in that building. Although he did explain that the university is looking at an at-large food policy for the entire university. Whether Sodexho would have any say in the matter of an at-large policy is unknown at the time.
Some students find the appeal of a dollar menu alluring, and wonder why Sodexho does not have one. Manager Reich explained that dollar menus only work in, what he referred to as, “super-high volumes” of production and sale, citing that other fast food chains sell thousands of burgers a day. He did mention that Sodexho is looking at the needs of the university populace, and spoke of a possible $3.99 lunch menu that is being looked into. One other alternative he suggested was purchasing items from the “to go” coolers in the cafeteria, stating that those are usually cheaper.