SCSU Shakes Up Dining Services With New Partner Sodexo

ST. CLOUD (WJON News) -- A change in St. Cloud State University's dining services provider is affecting a large number of employees who work on campus.

After a Dining Services Request for Proposals where multiple vendors submitted their offers, SCSU is switching to Sodexo as its new campus dining partner.

As a result, the current provider, Chartwells, has filed a notice with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development of 153 permanent layoffs. The layoffs take place on July 1st.

Chartwells is assisting employees who want to find other opportunities within the company.

SCSU says the dining committee's decision on a new partner was based on campus feedback, financial considerations, flexibility, innovation, quality, affordability, and value, among others.

In a statement, SCSU says,

Sodexo has been in contact with current full-time employees and student workers about future opportunities, and many long-serving Garvey Commons staff have successfully navigated similar changes over their decades on campus. We will be able to provide further details on the employee rehiring process in the coming weeks.

The university says it will provide additional information about updates to dining options and venues on campus, including both residential dining and Atwood.