Two months after Texas A&M University moved 1,600 employees to a private employer, an update was given at this week’s Board of Regents meeting.
President Bowen Loftin says finalists are being interviewed for a high level university position that will oversee contracts with companies providing food service and other functions formerly handled by A&M employees.
As for food service, Dr. Loftin says they are monitoring the formulation of next year’s prices; noting “We are obviously going to have to work carefully with Chartwell’s to make sure that they stick to their bargain with us and make sure that we do not allow the fee increases that go forward here possibly to be excessive in any way, but be justified by reality of food costs and the other ancillary things that go into the dining services area.”
Dr. Loftin says out of $6 million a year to pay for up to 25 new researchers and faculty members, $5 million a year will come from salary savings by moving groundskeeping, maintenance, and custodial workers to the private employer.
And Regent Phil Adams of Bryan called on saving a portion of $45 million in advance money A&M will receive from Chartwell’s.
Comments made by Bowen Loftin and Phil Adams.