Some University Housing workers are saying there are serious problems with a new carry-out meal program implemented this year and are afraid those problems could lead to a takeover of the dining halls by an outside company.

Robert Meadows, a Food Service worker at Trueblood cafeteria, and other Housing workers said some students are abusing the new carry-out system. He said the system is also causing trash problems across campus.

Since Housing started the carry-out service, the trash has doubled, and students are eating in the cafeterias and then taking home food before they leave, Meadows said.

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This is a very poor system, he said.

Edward L. Jones, director of University Housing, acknowledged some problems with the new program, but he said the carry-out system is one of the best programs implemented this year.

Sometimes students don’t have time to sit and eat in the cafeteria, Jones said. To serve these students, carry-out meals are now available.

Unfortunately, some students have abused this option by eating a meal in the cafeteria, then gotten a meal to carry out, Jones said. Carry-out meals should only be used by students who do not have time or choose not to eat in the cafeteria.

Despite the problems, Jones said University Housing workers should not be upset about the new program.

Change always provides a level of discomfort, and that is what we are dealing with here, Jones said. People (workers) are upset and not rightfully so.

Wilbur Hart, janitor foreman for Thompson Point, said it is hard to decide how to feel about the carry-out service.

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It’s hard to say whether it’s (carry out) convenient or inconvenient for those students who are on the go, Hart said. I’ve had to clean up several spills in the dorms. What I really don’t understand is we’re in a day and age where we’re concerned about the environment and all, so why are we using styrofoam and plastic and things that aren’t biodegradable.

Donna Signaigo, custodian for Thompson Point, said the trash is noticeable to her.

We’ve had three spills in the mailroom over the past week from students carrying those containers, Signaigo said. The service is causing our dumpsters to fill up faster. I have noticed that.

Groundskeepers around campus, like Art Frailey, have also noticed more trash because of the carry-out containers.

I really wish they would put their names on those containers so I can get them to throw the containers away properly, Frailey said.

Despite Housing’s attempts to keep students from eating and taking out food on one meal ticket, student workers, like Diana Gildersleeve of Lentz cafeteria, have seen some students continue to abuse the system.

I have seen some students come in and try to get more than one container for their friends, Gildersleeve said. The containers cost a lot of money. A few weeks ago, Housing started having students sign in to take out a meal, I think to keep track of how much is supposed to be going out.

Pat Harward, storekeeper at Trueblood, said the carry-out containers total cost is 30 cents each. The carry-out meals are averaging to be 400 per day from each of the dining areas and equaling $360 a day in any one cafeteria.

University workers are worried about a possible takeover of the dining program by an outside business, Meadows said.

We wonder if all of this is what will make Food Service go out and let another bidder take over the cafeteria, Meadows said. This is unfair to the students who still eat in the cafeteria. They are paying for those who carry out meals to feed their friends.

Mary M. Morgan, assistant director of Residence Hall Dining, said the contract for the dining program expires June 1, and there have been outside companies coming in to look over the program. But there should be no reason for concern, she said.

The companies coming in to look at the dining program have made some people jumpy, but it is all a part of business, Morgan said.

There have been proposals sent out to companies about the dining program, and a takeover could happen, she said.

We hope nothing like that has to happen, Morgan said.

Marriott, which handles the food service at the Student Center, is one of the companies looking into the possibility of taking over the dining halls.

Robyn Caruthers, public relations and media specialist for Marriott, said nothing is definite and the company is simply in a rebidding process right now.

This often happens especially in universities, Caruthers said. This is in the formal stage right now, and nothing will really be known until closer to the end of the contract time.

Jones said there is no reason for anyone to be concerned with an outside company taking over the dining program.

As long as Housing is operating as efficiently as we can, there is no way an outside company can come in and make a contract that would be better than what we are already doing, Jones said.

However, there are people suspicious of these other companies, he said. What we have to do is look at what they are offering and what we are offering and continue to improve our service to the students.