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ARA loses food service contract By Forrest Brown After serving the university for 30 years, ARA Services lost the exclusive USC food contract to SAGA Food Services Inc., the nation's second largest food service company. "We are very disappointed, and yes, surprised," said AHA director of dining services Tony Hardee. "That contract was very important to us. I am quite disappointed in the decision.'' TOM SHANDLEY, director of student activities and member of the Food Service Contract Review Committee, said, "It was a very difficult decision to make. People were used to ARA's food scrvice. They did a good job. "The committee looked at all the proposals and what each offered the students," Shandley said. "SAGA simply had a better package to offer." Dr. Richard Wertz, Residential Life Services director and Food Service Contract Review Committee chairman, said, "SAGA had the superior bid. They made the best presentation, and there was evidence for SAGA to have more potential." WERTZ SAID that whiie "things are pretty well wrapped up," the final contracts have not been drawn. He expected these to be completed soon. When they are, SAGA will be up for review every year according to contract requirements. Shandley said the committee chose SAGA for several reasons. "For one thing, they were very interested in emphasizing student employment. That was a big plus in their favor. "SAGA seemed dedicated to improving a broad board meal plan option," Shandley said. "They had the best evaluation procedure of any company applying. They are ~ ?~ j: ?i?* ? -??>? ? ^vMiiiiintcu UlllC LU UISCUVCI WUctL me siuuenis want. "ONE IMPORTANT issue on everyone's mind is money, and SAGA is talking not raising prices when they take over. That is very attractive," Shandley said. SAGA proposed the possible installment of the Valadine system, which uses plastic cards and computer system. Under the plans, students would purchase the cards, to^w '' ' ^ m.*- .. Greene Street mey be dosed permanently if the Columbia Cit\ presented last month. The council, however, has not yet set e tirn similar to credit cards, and present them to USC dining facility cashiers who would run the card through the computer. Shandley said this would speed up long lunch lines. AHA presented a similar offer. Wertz said points aiding SAGA were food quality, reasonable prices and ability to handle the diverse assignments the university required. ACCORDING TO Wertz, ARA will be in charge of food ! service most of June. Hardee said his company would be ! leaving June 21. i "We will do everything possible to make this a smooth transition," Hardee said. "We will continue to do the best job possible while we are here." Hardee said ARA management personnel at USC would probably be relocated. "I imagine that the management people will be offered transfers. There is no way to keep this many people in the area. SAGA will be interviewing the hourly employees." , i ALTHOUGH ARA was disappointed to lose the contract, j Hardee said the company was in good shape. u -ff ? * a.i. * * -- -- mis uuusn l aueci me corporation as a whole," Hardee | said. "Sure, it was quite a blow, but it does riot affect our \ strength. ARA has numerous accounts in other areas. We will \ be able to adapt and move forward." Some other universities and colleges ARA serves include Clemson, The Citadel. Wake Forest and UNC-Chapel Hill. j OTHER COMPANIES bidding for the contract were the Marriott Corp., Morrison's, Atlas Food Services and Serv-O- i Mation Food Service Inc. The food service committee f devised a rating list that evaluated competing companies. Wertz said SAGA rated highest. In addition to evaluating each company's proposals, USC investigated each company's background. SAGA serves Florida State, University of Miami and University of Alabama, and Wertz said all three were pleased with SAGA's service SAGA'S DISTRICT office is in Orlando, Fla., with the national headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif. By Forrest Brown Columbia City Council has n :>XS&iSS8?aS?fl rncnliifiAnc f"" ,u" Hllllll .affift*** looking into the matter. I trie Hp touch with Steve Beckham assistant to the president) and (general counsel of the univer haven't been able to find out Abel said. ^-.. . The resolutions were oresentei committees and supporters. Photo by Caper* Hammond V Council votes on resolutions CITY COUNCIL then author 0 to debate the issue. city-university committee to ^ PhotoHammond ARA employee, Joe-Ann Davis, serves a customer at the Russell House Snack Bar, one of several campus eating establishments run by AHA services. SAGA Food Services inc. will take over all of the eating establishments July 21, according to ARA director of dining services Tony Hardee. Hardee said ARA will do their best to make the transition a smooth one. moil delays Mictu ucuisiun resolutions and their possible effect on the iot acted on Russell House section of Greene Street, permanent The study should have been completed in le Street in 30 days and presented to the council at its June 2 meeting, but that meeting was sed to be postponed until today. cil meeting, Abel said he believes the delay could be Jent Ashley for one of two reasons. "1 don't know for y that the sure, but they could be sidetracking the d not be on issue,'' Abel said. "They may be trying to See "Creen Street, page 4 artment is d to get in I Paul Ward UlOiUt? sity) but I New attendance policlimits abanything, sences from class. Page two. Special effects add an extra touch to to council, Steven Speilberg's "Poltergeist." Ionizations, Page seven. * Consecutive losses to Stanford and Oklahoma State eliminate USC from i/.ed a ioint iritr woria series, fage ten. study the