Photo: Contributed
UBCO is getting serious about its food.
The university’s food services division has been operated by a contractor since the campus opened in 2005, but on July 1 it will be taken over by Student Housing and Hospitality Services.
“This is great for our students, faculty and staff, and the wider community,” UBCO associate vice-president of finance and operations Rob Einarson said in a press release. “UBC operates one of the largest and most complex food service programs in Canada on the Vancouver campus. UBC Okanagan is in a unique position to replicate the Vancouver model and use its strengths and resources to deliver a unique, world-class UBC Okanagan food service program.”
Franchises like Starbucks, Tim Hortons and Subway will still be available for those on campus, but the in-house food outlets will offer new and enhanced menu items, and improved customer service.
As a result, UBCO needs to add staff to meet the demand the new food services operation plans to offer. Hiring is already underway for a variety of positions to prepare for full operation beginning in September. A large number of former contracted personnel have been hired by UBC and will be members of the BC Government and Service Employees’ Union.
“About 30 new UBC staff members will be working as of July 1, and our full staffing levels will be in place with the start of the upcoming academic term,” Hartung said. “We’re currently hiring to build a passionate, energetic and diverse team of cooks, kitchen attendants, sales attendants, shipper-receivers and general workers.”
Hartung added that UBCO Food Services will pay above standard wages.
“We also offer generous benefits, a pension plan and great professional development opportunities,” he said.
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