http://hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060511/SOUTHERNMISS/60511002/1006/SPORTS

USM in talks to outsource physical

University of Southern Mississippi officials have begun negotiations with the Aramark company regarding the possible outsourcing of the university’s physical plant operation, said Joe Morgan, interim chief financial officer....

...The goal is to have the contract approved by President Shelby Thames, and then the state College Board, by the beginning of the new fiscal year on July 1, Morgan said.

Financial details of the proposed deal are unclear, as the contract is still in negotiations, Morgan said. But Aramark, which already conducts physical plant operations at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, has advanced an energy plan that would save Southern Miss $10.2 million over a 10-year contract, he said....

...Faculty Senate President-elect Myron Henry said he voted against continuing the outsourcing initiative, citing fear that neither the university nor physical plant employees will be better off than they are now.

In an e-mail, Henry said Willis stated to the committee that current physical plant expenditures are $12.1 million, while the Aramark proposal was $12.3 million.

Henry also said Aramark’s retirement plan was “not at all competitive” with Southern Miss’, and that the company has not proven it can handle comprehensive physical plant operations at an institution as large and complex as Southern Miss.