Colby-Sawyer College has opted to end its contract for the facilities management operations provided by Sodexo, effective July 1. These services at Colby-Sawyer include the Facilities and Housekeeping departments. While the change ends a long-term relationship with that branch of Sodexo, it will not affect the college’s separate contract with Sodexo Dining Services.

Colby-Sawyer acknowledges with appreciation the years of service provided by Sodexo and its care in maintaining our campus.

As the college moves in a new direction, however, Vice President of Finance and Treasurer Todd C. Emmons anticipates an opportunity to streamline operations by bringing them in-house instead of relying on a third-party service, a move which he says will also be financially beneficial to the college in the long run.

“We have an opportunity to realize some real savings, both in terms of what we have paid out to Sodexo and in terms of how much we contract out to other vendors,” said Emmons. “We plan to hire a facilities labor force and to seek efficiencies all over campus in terms of how we operate this department.”

Colby-Sawyer exercised a clause in its contract, which was set to expire in 2024, to terminate the relationship with 60 days notice. To the extent possible, Sodexo employees in Facilities and Housekeeping will be considered for employment by Colby-Sawyer College, first as they move into a probationary employment period starting July 1, after which they may apply to the college to become permanent hires.

“It is important to note that our goal is to maintain a positive working relationship with as many of the individual Sodexo employees in Facilities and Housekeeping as is feasible to meet the college’s needs,” said Emmons. “These are folks who know the college well and care about its future, who have worked hard and cared for not only our facilities but also for our students, faculty and staff. I want to be clear – the affected Sodexo staff members have been invited to apply to the college for employment through Human Resources so that they may continue those relationships as employees of Colby-Sawyer instead of Sodexo.”