Duke Student Government Resolution Against Aramark

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In February, 2004, the Duke University Student government passed a statement condemning Aramark's dining quality...

I managed to find an old article in the student newspaper discussing the anti-Aramark resolution, click here.

Through another source I got a copy whate appears to be a second resolution expressing much the same sentiments in an official and carefully-worded statement...which is deserving of new life on this blog. Here it is, in its entirety, except for a supporting "Appendix A" which cited student opinion dining "report cards" in careful statistical detail.

A RESOLUTION OF THE DUKE STUDENT GOVERNMENT
A Recommendation Concerning the Performance of Aramark on Campus

POLICY STATEMENT

Duke Student government asserts that Aramark Corporation does not deliver excellent dining and is not able to provide an excellent dining program at Duke at this point in time. Duke Student Government expresses a vote of no confidence in Aramark Corporation. This is the second vote of no confidence.

Rationale

Whereas Aramark's structure on Duke University's campus is unique--with five dining locations, including two cafeteria style, one coffee shop, and two franchised locations--Duke Student Government feels that the current model is not meeting expectations of excellence. We define excellence as not only fulfilling promises made last year, but also taking an innovative approach to the Duke dining experience as previously promised by Aramark at the beginning of their tenure on Duke's campus.

We expect the following to satisfy our definition of excellence:

* General improvement of quality, in terms of freshness and taste.
* Reasonable pricing of food reflecting food quality.
* Frequent revision of the menus to satisfy student desires.
* Friendly and consistent customer service.
* Being proactive rather than reactive.
* Providing convenient dining hours for students.
* Correctly and effectively labeling food products to satisfy students' dietary needs, e.g. vegans, vegetarians, and kosher.

Using the results brought forth by the Duke University Student Dining Advisory Committee (reference appendix A) (not included in this blog post) it is clear that Aramark is failing to meet this standard of excellence.

On February 22, 2004 the Duke Student Government expressed its sentiments about Aramark in a vote of no confidence. Since then, we have seen a change in management and promises of innovation to come; however, we have seen little improvement to date. We express cautious optimism in the current management's ability to meet the standards of excellence we have laid out.

(Members of the Student Government sign their names)