Students Express Concerns with Outsourcing
By Michael Boutselis
The negative outcry of the college's outsourcing investigation has not been limited to students alone, and has been heard from many student organizations.
The Student Government Association has recognized the college's actions and passed a resolution against outsourcing, sponsored by Senator John McDermott '11.
The resolution is focused on the well being of the colleges current staff, and states that that in the opinion of Student Government, "all present benefits for employees of both Physical Plant and Dining Services should be preserved, whether or not outsourcing occurs."
The cries of students have not gone unheard however, and the college committees and administrators have stressed that the actions taken thus far have been purely exploratory and no decisions have been made.
The chair of the custodial services outsourcing committee, Adam Albina, says the college has the best interests of the students and the community at heart. Albina is director of information technology.
The committee submitted a proposal to senior administrators outlining outsourcing options after requesting from bids from outside companies. A bid was also provided by the college's own Physical Plant department, taking into consideration the cost and quality of service they could provide.
The proposal stressed the college's unwillingness to sacrifice quality of service, the importance of community on campus, and the value of the college's current staff.
Each company that submitted a proposal was given a tour of the campus. Representatives from each company left in awe of the cleanliness maintained by the current staff, Albina said.
"When asked by these companies if the college was willing to sacrifice this quality, the answer was a firm no," he said.
Both Albina, and Executive Vice President of the College Dr. Suzanne K. Mellon, Ph.D. , R.N. , stress that the "focus is on mission, efficiency and culture."
The Custodial Services and Dining Services committees will submit a proposal to Mellon by mid-December outlining their recommendation, based on proposals of each company. Following these recommendations, Mellon and other college administrators will conduct their own "careful and deliberate" investigation, she said.
The Student Government Association has recognized the college's actions and passed a resolution against outsourcing, sponsored by Senator John McDermott '11.
The resolution is focused on the well being of the colleges current staff, and states that that in the opinion of Student Government, "all present benefits for employees of both Physical Plant and Dining Services should be preserved, whether or not outsourcing occurs."
The cries of students have not gone unheard however, and the college committees and administrators have stressed that the actions taken thus far have been purely exploratory and no decisions have been made.
The chair of the custodial services outsourcing committee, Adam Albina, says the college has the best interests of the students and the community at heart. Albina is director of information technology.
The committee submitted a proposal to senior administrators outlining outsourcing options after requesting from bids from outside companies. A bid was also provided by the college's own Physical Plant department, taking into consideration the cost and quality of service they could provide.
The proposal stressed the college's unwillingness to sacrifice quality of service, the importance of community on campus, and the value of the college's current staff.
Each company that submitted a proposal was given a tour of the campus. Representatives from each company left in awe of the cleanliness maintained by the current staff, Albina said.
"When asked by these companies if the college was willing to sacrifice this quality, the answer was a firm no," he said.
Both Albina, and Executive Vice President of the College Dr. Suzanne K. Mellon, Ph.D. , R.N. , stress that the "focus is on mission, efficiency and culture."
The Custodial Services and Dining Services committees will submit a proposal to Mellon by mid-December outlining their recommendation, based on proposals of each company. Following these recommendations, Mellon and other college administrators will conduct their own "careful and deliberate" investigation, she said.
This article was published on 12/11/09 in the News section.
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