Collegian

Issue date: 10/24/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Christopher Heinze Current General Manager Brandon Case will be leaving the cafeteria when Sodexho hands over the reins to LCCC at the end of the year. "I'll miss the place. I like working here."

Media Credit: Christopher Heinze Kitchen Manager Christal Kudela prepares food for holding until ready to serve. Kudela and her crew will become LCCC employees at the beginning of 2008.

Media Credit: Christopher Heinze LCCC Cafeteria Cook Jean Woolfork smiles as she cleans her area.

With help from the University of Akron, Lorain County Community College will gain control of its own cafeteria at the beginning of the year.

"December 31 is our [Sodexho's] last day," said current general manager Brandon Case. "We will actually be closing December 14. This gives us a whole week to get ready to leave. We will still have catering and serve the high school kids until December 31."

"The University of Akron's director of dining will direct the change from being a vendor operated operation to a self-operated operation." said project manager Shelley Prueter. By partnering with the University of Akron, LCCC would be able to use their expertise and purchasing power to help build relationships with companies such as Starbucks.

Prueter said that with less funding available, ". . . colleges are looking at ways to be more effective and efficient."

When asked why LCCC wanted to change how the cafeteria is run, Prueter said it would "bring the best quality food and service to match what LCCC offers in education."

"For the first time, cafeteria employees will be employees of LCCC, just like in the bookstore," Prueter said.

"We will be seeking more student employees. Students often want part-time work." Prueter said. "We hire attitude and teach skill."

Not everyone is optimistic about the change though. Case said that LCCC is missing out on the opportunities that a large company like Sodexho offers.

"We've made a lot of improvements over the past two years. We offer better stuff and sales have increased about 25 percent." Case said of his career at LCCC. "Staff has increased 20 percent and they are better trained."

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