FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2005
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7124

MUW to partner with Sodexho to provide facilities maintenance services
  
COLUMBUS, Miss. – The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning approved Mississippi University for Women’s decision to partner with Sodexho Operations to provide facilities maintenance services.
   
Nora Miller, vice president for finance and administration, said the decision came after carefully considering proposals that were submitted.
   
“Sodexho’s proposal best met our objectives to seek fair and equitable treatment of our current employees, recognize cost savings and effect efficiencies in operations.”
   
Under the contract with Sodexho, all current MUW physical plant and community living custodial staff will have the opportunity to transfer to Sodexho’s payroll as of Aug. 25. The offer will be at the employee’s rate of pay and seniority in effect at that time. Employees who are within five years of retirement eligibility in the state retirement system will have the option of remaining MUW employees until eligible for retirement.
   
Personnel from Sodexho’s human resource office will be on campus in the following weeks to meet with employees on an individual basis and to assist them in the transition process.
   
Currently Sodexho provides food services on campus and has been doing so since 1990.
   
MUW President Claudia A. Limbert said, “Sodexho takes good care of its employees and will provide excellent service for our students, faculty and staff.  I believe this will be a positive move for our University.”