Members of a UK student group say they remain opposed to the university’s decision to privatize on-campus dining services.
Brock Meade, a spokesman with UK Students United Against Sweatshops, says it would be a mistake for school administrators to sign a contract with Aramark Corporation.
"Aramark has a really poor track record of operation in prisons and schools and we think that here at the University of Kentucky we operate our dining services best and we don't see why we can't pursue other financial alternatives to keep dining services in house and public," Meade told WUKY.
Aramark has a troubled history in Kentucky. In 2009 inmates at the Northpoint Training Center rioted against prison conditions, including food services. The riot triggered a 2010 state audit which revealed issues of poor food quality and safety, overbilling for services, and a lack of financial transparency.
Eric Monday, vice president of finance and administration, tells the Lexington Herald Leader that administrators have had meetings with several state corrections officials and they believe the situation has been rectified.
Meade's group wants the Board of Trustees to delay any decision regarding a contract until the beginning of fall semester in order to gather input from students.
UK Trustees are expected to receive another briefing on contract negotiations at their next board meeting in June.