UCCS to Bring Foodservice Under Self-Operation

The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs has announced that it will begin managing its own food service operations beginning next May. Susan Szpyrka, vice chancellor, Administration and Finance, announced the decision to begin preparations to self-operate campus food service after meetings with campus leaders and representatives of Sodexo, which has managed campus food service at UCCS for the past 16 years.

“As UCCS continues to grow both in size and in its desire to connect campus food service with academic programs, wellness goals and on-campus expertise, it became clear that we must build our own structure,” Szpyrka said. “Sodexo has been a valued partner for many years. I want to thank the company for its service as we move in a new direction. Sodexo leadership has pledged to continue to provide high levels of food and service quality to UCCS through this transition.”

The changeover from Sodexo-operated campus eateries and catered events to those staffed by UCCS employees will take place on May 23. A committee of faculty and staff members are working with Szpyrka to hire leaders for the new Auxiliary Services unit as well as to host an employment fair for Sodexo employees interested in transitioning to UCCS employment.

Eventually, Szpyrka said the new food service unit will employ as many as 100 people, approximately 75 of them UCCS students. The desire to provide on-campus employment opportunities for students was part of the decision to create a new operation, Szpyrka said. Other factors included connecting with faculty expertise and campus sustainability goals that include locally grown food and reduced waste streams. UCCS constructed a campus greenhouse last year.

UCCS had a fall 2013 enrollment of around 10,600.