University Working to Expand Campus Dining

10/25/2019

At its quarterly meeting on Oct. 22, the JSU Board of Trustees authorized JSU’s Vice President of Finance and Administration Jim Brigham to negotiate a 10-year contract with Sodexo to continue providing dining services on campus. SGA President Ulises Herrera and Vice President of Student Affairs Tim King will be a part of the negotiations to ensure the voice of the students is heard.

During the board meeting, Sodexo proposed constructing a new cafeteria on campus. Under this proposal, Sodexo would pay $7 million toward the cost of construction of a new dining hall and expand dining options throughout campus - including adding an Einstein’s Bagels and Boar’s Head Deli, renovating and expanding Jazzman’s, and transforming Mama Goldberg’s into a WOW Cafe with soft seating, gaming and student-centric space. 

To fund the continued enhancement of campus dining, the Sodexo proposal suggested adding a $275/semester (or approximately $20 per week or $3/day) required commuter meal plan. However, this is still under consideration. All details are still being negotiated, including the location of any new dining facilities. 

“Until a final contract is negotiated, with the help of Dr. King and Mr. Herrera, all terms are simply proposals,” said Brigham. “We will benchmark our food service plans with other Alabama universities and focus on getting affordable plans and value for all of our students.”

Each year, Sodexo surveys students to get their input on campus food services. These responses are used to make improvements, such as the recent $2 million remodel of the TMB food court. To provide feedback on this proposal, students should email tbking@jsu.edu, sgapres@stu.jsu.edu or vppr@stu.jsu.edu. The SGA will host a town hall meeting on Oct. 30, 6 p.m., on the fifth floor of Meehan Hall. Students are invited to come ask questions about the proposal and any other topic of interest.