5 things: Ohio State ups student dining workers’ minimum wage by $2

In this edition of 5 Things, Food Management highlights five things you may have missed recently about developments affecting onsite dining.

Here’s your list for today:

Student workers in Ohio State University Dining Services are receiving a $2 increase in pay after a new minimum wage was implemented April 10. Zia Ahmed, senior director of University Dining Services, said in an email every student working in dining received the raise, and the minimum starting wage is now $12. The starting wage for students varies based on position, but every worker is eligible to receive a merit increase up to 65 cents.

Read more: Dining Services Increases Minimum Wage for Student Employees

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is backing off his proposed ban on chocolate milk at least for now, and instead is urging Congress to pass a law allowing vegetarian alternatives in select New York City schools. Adams assured a nine-member, bipartisan group of New York’s Congressional delegation that he won’t push for a ban on chocolate milk, at least for now, but he said he intends to pursue a pilot program, as well as federal legislation, requiring plant-based meals and added that he’ll grant school principals the authority to decide whether they want to axe flavored milk in their own schools.

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Read more: Eric Adams backs off proposed chocolate milk ban — for now

William & Mary has unveiled a 10-year comprehensive plan to modernize and revitalize its aging housing and dining facilities, to be completed in three phases. In total, the facilities plan will overhaul 80% of the university’s housing inventory either by replacement or renovation, as well as providing two modern dining spaces. Phase 1, estimated at $234 million, includes construction of a new West Campus dining facility and the replacement of the Green and Gold Village and the Commons Dining facility.

Read more: W&M announces comprehensive facilities plan for housing and dining

Compass Group and its Chartwells Higher Education unit have announced that Kelsey Harmon Finn has joined the company as Vice President of Ambassador Community Relations. Finn brings more than 20 years of experience in higher education and was previously the CEO of the National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS).

Read more: Former NACAS CEO Kelsey Harmon Finn Joins Compass Group to Develop Strategic Partnerships within Higher Education

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The NFL's Buffalo Bills have hired FM Top 50 consulting and hospitality company Legends Hospitality to lead planning, project management, sales and partnerships, including naming rights, for the team’s new stadium in Orchard Park. Whether Legends will handle concessions, which are currently provided by Buffalo-based Delaware North at the Bills' current facility, has yet to be determined, stated Executive Vice President Ron Raccuia of Bills parent company Pegula Sports and Entertainment.

Read more: Bills announce Legends, founded by Jerry Jones, will handle planning, sales at new stadium

Bonus: What’s new in Major League ballparks in 2022

Contact Mike Buzalka at [email protected]