William & Mary today announced its intention to enter into a 10-year agreement with Aramark to enhance its on-campus catering program. The agreement, effective July 1, 2023, includes residential and retail dining, full-service catering and operation of concession venues on campus.
“This new partnership is an exciting step in William & Mary’s foodservice and will ensure our community is able to deliver best-in-class dining programs,” said Auxiliary of W&M, which oversees the dining deal. Services Executive Director Jackson Matthews said. “Aramark delivers an all-round excellence program with consistent quality and innovation that meets the contemporary needs of students, faculty and staff.”
Thursday announcement continues University-wide efforts To improve the student experience at W&M. Last year, William & Mary announced a long-term comprehensive plan to modernize and revitalize its residential and dining facilities and to further integrate living and learning on campus.
Reimagined dining programs partner with local farms and suppliers to prioritize locally sourced ingredients and homemade meals. A new and expanded partnership with the Williamsburg Farmers Market will allow students to spend their Dining Dollars at the weekly market on Duke of Gloucester Street.
Retail food and beverages will focus on local partnerships and rotation options. Column 15, owned by William & Mary alumni, will sell coffee at campus cafes, and GrubHub will manage mobile ordering. Chick-fil-A and Domino’s Pizza in Tribe Square have also reopened to dining dollars.
Expanded menu choices, including expanded vegan and vegetarian options, in both Commons Dining Hall and Food Hall at Sadler, offering programs tailored to student needs through active student participation. increase. A wide range of customized options will be expanded at each station to ensure students are in control of their dining experience. Food stations feature menus from local chefs and restaurants. A full-time nutritionist is also available on campus for students who require special dietary support or general dietary guidance.
“It was clear from Aramark’s suggestion that they were investing in changing the diet program at William & Mary,” said Taylor Fox ’24, newly elected student council vice president and jury member. Stated. “When considering the proposal, we considered plant-based classmates, Jewish and Muslim classmates, classmates with allergies, and classmates seeking a quality dining experience. Concerns and dining experiences informed and guided my decision-making process.
“We are all curious about our food and open to new ideas, flavors and experiences, but still expect our comfort foods to be consistently well-made.” Fox added. “With this new program, we look forward to finding what we want while enjoying a meal together as a community.” Now, the Student Council is grateful to have had a voice in this complex decision-making process.”
Adam Pauling, Executive Director of Hospitality at Alamark College Hospitality, will lead the new partnership. As the senior on-campus leader of dining, Pauling will guide both the day-to-day operations and his new strategic vision for W&M dining. “We are building a dynamic program for William and Mary, and this team is excited to get to work. As a former Virginia long-term resident, my wife and I started our family here. It’s been a dream come true for us to be part of this community and we can’t wait to introduce the new W&M dining to the campus community.”
William & Mary Dining employees are employed directly by contractors, giving current non-managerial staff the opportunity to transition to new contracts. In spring 2023, W&M Dining employees will vote to unionize with Unite Here, and the announcement of the letter of intent will allow Aramark and Unite Here to leverage their strong existing relationships to ensure a smooth transition.
Aramark was selected through an open call for proposals from qualified food service providers. The proposal was reviewed by a committee made up of student leaders, administrators, staff members, family members, and representatives from several of her W&M departments. William & Mary Auxiliary Services will act as contract administrators and the University will oversee the operation of the contract.
“Aramark has submitted an excellent proposal that aligns closely with William & Mary’s vision and commitment to quality,” said Sean Hughes, Interim Vice President of Business Services and Organizational Excellence. “Adam and his team are strong partners. We will continue to implement programs that exceed expectations.”
Freshmen and sophomores are enrolled in the All-Access Meal Plan as part of their campus stay and have access to residential dining facilities and $400 dining dollars at all times. Introduced in 2021, the All Access Meal Plan offers students the flexibility to choose the meal schedule that best suits their needs at The Commons and Food Hall @ Sadler. A meal plan is mandatory for all undergraduate boarding students, with additional meal plan options available depending on class grade and residence. For more information on complete meal plans, please visit: W&M Dining Service.
Meal plan configurations and fees are developed and administered by William & Mary, and meal service vendors are responsible for operating within the budget provided. After maintaining flat rates for the 2022-23 school year, the W&M Visitors Commission Executive Committee on Thursday approved a new recommended rate for All Access Plans increased by $262 to $2,885 per semester. The new fees not only reflect the reality of rising food and labor costs, but also the university’s commitment to expanding and enhancing its dining services. Thursday’s move left W&M’s meal costs the second-lowest among all public universities in Virginia.
Interim Chief Operating Officer Jackie Ferry said, “We know that meeting the expectations of our communities requires a significant upgrade of our foodservice program and our goal is to achieve excellence. It’s about limiting the price to what is absolutely necessary,” he said. “We are excited about the new era of dining at William & Mary, the new comprehensive program, and the many options it offers members of our community.”
Ongoing updates will be posted below dining2023.wm.edu Throughout the summer, we’ll be highlighting changes and introducing team members on social media (@wmauxiliaries). Students will also receive regular emails about what will happen when they return to campus.
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