Students tired of the current dining options offered on campus could be in luck next year.
TCU’s current dining contract with Sodexo is set to end in August of 2018. The administration is now trying to determine whether to renew a 10-year contract to consider drafting a new one with a different company.
“We are seeking people’s feedback about what is going well, what needs change and what we might need in the next several years as the demographics of our campus continue to change,” said Vice Chancellor Kathy Cavins-Tull.
Students, faculty, and staff members are invited to participate in an open forum Sept. 18 at noon in the Tucker Technology Center to discuss their opinions on the current Sodexo food contract. For those who can’t attend the meeting, there will also be a campus-wide survey and people can send written feedback to [email protected].
The first open forum to discuss the dining contract was Wednesday, where mostly staff and faculty members were in attendance and praised the kind and welcoming nature of the employees in dining services.
As for student opinion on the food, Student Government Association (SGA) Representative Laredo Loyd said that Sodexo does a good job of catering to the university lifestyle with programs like Late Night and Sunday brunch.
However other SGA representatives were not as happy with the Sodexo options, citing market Square’s layout, its lack of ethnic and diverse food options, its lackluster food quality and the out-of-budget catering price for student organizations as some of the issues with the contract.
Hall Director Keely Teters said that some students have to eat after or before traditional meal times which can limit their options at Market Square even more.
Several students are also less than pleased with their choices at Market Square.
“Market Square I think could definitely use some help,” said sophomore Callie McClellan. “Most people eat there, but I feel like they have the least quality food.”
A vocal displeasure at the Sodexo food options is a common occurrence from many students around campus, dating back for years.
As for solutions to their issues with Market Square, SGA Representative Alexis Hood suggested that local produce be available in retail shops in order to accommodate the growing population of students with food allergies and vegan and vegetarian students.
Some faculty and staff members also said that bringing more food trucks on campus could reach far-off campus locations, and it could allow for more diverse, healthier options.
The Food Service Review Committee encourages all students to suggest ways that TCU dining can improve long-term and send them to their SGA representatives or to the [email protected] email.
The committee is expecting to reach a decision on the Sodexo contract by the end of the semester.
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Correction: A previous version of this story stated the incorrect email address. The correct email address is [email protected]
