Author:
Senator Adam French
Sponsors:
Senator Tiffany Roemer
Senator Kyle Nathan
Senator Abel Valencia
Senator Gabriel Garcia
Senator Joseph Allen
Senator Sarah Hadley
Senator Steven Arnold
Senator AJ Degarmo
Senator Katie McElmurray
Senator Sebastian Raisanen
Senator Lauren Redman
Senator Maxfield Baker
Senator Shanna Schultz
Senator Taylor Smith
Senator John Paine
Senator Tabitha Mullins
Senator Caitlin Hagans
Senator Kurt Fulkerson
Senator Marissa Cantu-Harkless
Senator Tommy Aguilar
Senator Annette Hernandez
S.R.F 2010-2011/10
Date of First Reading:November 8th, 2010
“Free Refills Act of 2010”
WHEREAS:the Associated Student Government serves to effectively represent the students of TexasState University-San Marcos and;
WHEREAS: the Associated Student Government takes great interest in the contracts the University signs that ultimately impact the students of Texas State University- San Marcos; and
WHEREAS:one of the contracts recently signed was for an extension of the 1998 contract made with Chartwells, a subsidiary of Compass Group USA, Inc.; and
WHEREAS:upon further review, it became clear that certain services as dictated by the 1998 contract and recently extended to a re-evaluation date of May 31, 2023 were not being provided to students as per the contract; and
WHEREAS:one of the aforementioned services being denied to students is their right to free refills with all meal equivalency options as stated in Article III, Section 3, Subsection 04 of the Dining and Food Services Agreement (“Meal equivalency options are to be offered as “special meal packages” to be available at all cash operation stations as determined by SWT and to be rotated on a mutually agreeable basis. Appropriate portions and nutritionally balanced meals are to be offered. Drinks should be refilled as part of meal rate. Contractor will submit options for SWT’s review and approval with menu cycles at least 60 days before the beginning of each semester.); and
WHEREAS:free refills are not currently offered as part of the meal equivalency options at Jones Dining Hall as per the requirement of the contract; and
WHEREAS: the only response provided by Chartwells as to why free refills are not currently afforded to students at Jones Dining Hall as part of a meal equivalency option is two-fold:
(1)The belief by Chartwells that the word “should” in the aforementioned contract section means that they are only advised to do so and are not required and
(2)The belief of Chartwells and Auxiliary Services, that due to a lack of adherence to this contract provision at the start of the contract in 1998 there is no longer a necessity to adhere to this provision within the contract.; and
WHEREAS:it is the belief of the Associated Student Government
that the word “should” within the confines of this
contract, and any contract, means (according to legal
precedence) what is probable or expected; and
WHEREAS: it is also the belief of the Associated Student
Government that a lack of adherence to the contractual
obligations in the past or present constitutes a
breach of Chartwells contractual obligation with the
University; and
WHEREAS:it is the Associated Student Government’s
responsibility to advocate for the students’ voices in
regards to any violation that materially impacts the
very students we represent; therefore
BE IT RESOLVED:that the Associated Student Government insist that Chartwells abide by the contract it signed with the University and provide free refills with any meal equivalent purchase at Jones Dining Hall, as per the Dining and Food Services Agreement; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that if Chartwells chooses to languish
or deny implementation of this
declaration, the Associated Student
Government on behalf of the students of
Texas State University- San Marcos will
use other options to remedy such issues;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:that this legislation be forwarded to
Allen Reed of the University Star,
President of the Residence Hall Association Taylor Smith, Resident District Manager of ChartwellsLeslie Bulkley, the Corporate Offices of
Chartwells, University Attorney Bill
Fly, Attorney for Students Shannon
Fitzpatrick, Director of Auxiliary
Services John Root, Director of Housing
and Residence Life Dr. Rosanne Proite,
ASG Advisor Kathy Weiser, Dean of
Students Dr. Margarita Arellano, Vice
President for Student Affairs Dr. Joanne
Smith, President Denise Trauth, and
Chairman of the Board of Regents Ron
Blatchley.