The Lion’s E PSU BRANDYWINE Ca Vol. 2, Issue 3. Penn State Brandywine Media, Pennsylvania March 28, 2012 Farewell to Joe’s Catering By Dave Serpentine - Lion's Eye National & World Editor - dms5419@psu.edu At the end of the spring semester, Penn State Brandywine will receive a new food company to house in the Common’s building kitchen. Dee’s Kitchen, a member of Pronto Corporate Catering from Glenn Mills, was selected by a committee and Dee’s Kitchen will replace Joseph’s Catering after eight years. According to the Director of Student Affairs Dr. Matthew Shupp, who was one of the people to review the bid, said the biding process for a new food servicing com- pany began in January of this year. This bidding process was conducted through the Fa- cilities Committee; which was comprised of four faculty, three staff, and four students. Shupp said these students “were a good representation of this campus.” The committee visited Penn State Abington to-test the food. : Shupp also revealed that the process was managed through University Park making sure the process was held in an efficient manner. The bidding process was a four week process that lasted from January through February. The committee reviewed the proposal and then ranked each bidding company on certain criteria that was deemed important. There were four companies who applied for the bid. Janina Horakova, a sophomore supply chain and information system major, who was a part of the committee explained her role in the bidding process. Since Hora- kova is the Student Government vice-president, she joined this committee as another means of representing the student body. She sampled the food and reported back to Lisa Yerges, Director of Business Services. When asked why Horakova selected Dee’s Kitchen, she said, “This company was very helpful and willing to answer any and all questions we had for them. They understood the type of customer they would have here at campus and based of that developed a menu that caters to college students’ needs specifically. In addition to all of this, they also are providing the campus with food trucks which is super convenient for students who are on the go and have night classes. They also would make themselves easily available during campus activities such as events, games, etc. All in all, Dee’s Kitchen showed that they cared about the students and giving back to the school.” Horakova did state that she never had a problem with Joe’s Catering and she liked their service. Yerges explained how often these bids occur and commented, “The last food service contract was initially written for three years, I believe, but it had a one-year automatic renewal option. This new agreement, which is still. being drafted, may extend beyond three years, but this is still under review.” Yerges also expressed what was unique about Dee’s Kitchen, “Dee’s Kitchen scored best in terms of our criteria, which included for example, customer service philosophy, menu options, pricing, etc. With regard to Dee’s Kitchen’s presentation, the food quality from the sampling was impressive, and its proposal also included the provision of a ‘mobile catering service,” which will pro- vide added convenience to students who are interested in grabbing something quick to eat before/after a class and don’t have the time to walk to the cafeteria.” Yerges also said, “The campus does not have a signed agreement yet with Dee’s Kitchen. Dee’s Kitchen is our vendor of choice, and we are hopeful that we can have an agreement in place for a June 1 start date.” Shupp also went on to agree with Yerges’ comments defending Dee’s Kitchen, “The prices will be different from before and the prices are very reasonable. They would be able to provide more variety. Dee’s Kitchen’s vans would have Penn State Brandy- wine ads on it as a means of good advertisement.” Because Dee’s Kitchen operates in a warehouse-sized building, they would be able to deliver food the campus for larger events as needed. And the current Penn State Brandywine kitchen is ideal and provides ample amount of space for the new food company. In addition to a mobile food cart, Dee’s Kitchen will also provide their own vending machines throughout the campus. In addition, Shupp stated that these vending machines will be credit and debit card accessibility. Mary Pat, the office manager for Joseph’s Catering said they have plans to relocate in Ridley and to open a new restaurant soon. They once had a restaurant called Java Joe in the Ridley/Media area. Pat said, “This was the only school they provided catering service to. We’ve learned so much since we were here. For example, when it came to Multicultural Day, we had to research different cultures and learn had to prepare those kinds of dishes. We’ve become very versatile.” Pat also said her favorite occasions were any of the outdoor events, such as Grill N Chill, Spring Fling, and Wel- come Back BBQ. While everyone is warmly welcoming this new company, there are many cam- pus students, faculty, and staff who are sadden of Joe’s departure. Shupp said, “Joe’s Catering has been wonderful; I’m grateful for Joe’s Cater- ing. For all that he’s done should be celebrated and it shouldn’t go unnoticed.” Green Candidate Visits Brandywine Campus By Robert Ripson- Lion's Eye Staff Writer-rlr283@psu.edu On Tuesday March 20, 2012, Dr. Jill Stein made a whistle stop tour on our campus to continue her campaign march for the Presidency of the United States of America. Candidate Stein arrived to the Tomezko building room 103 and began to speak to a crowd of interested faculty, professors, staff, and students who wanted to learn more about the Green Party and what she and her party would be able to do for America. Candidate Stein began by addressing the concerns of the young adults who are facing tough decisions, challenges that fifty years of legacy has been left to them by the two “ruling” parties. Within this frame Stein is attempting to make room for those who can’t speak for themselves within the halls of Congress. The injustices that have shaped and continue to shape America, racial, gender, age. Just to name of few. One of Steins biggest concerns is the “indentured servitude” that college students are facing when graduation finally is achieved. Stein stated the average student upon completing undergraduate studies will carry a debt of $25,000. (I believe it will more than that) Regardless, the amount of debt that the student will have is enormous. This before securing employment just to survive in today’s economy. A solution that Stein proposes to this epidemic of indebtedness is to forgive all those who have accrued scholastic debt. An example that she put forward to justify this was the return of millions of World War II veterans who received education benefits upon their return. This was accomplished through the G.I. Bill. Through this Bill, the money laid out to pay for their education, was paid back, in Steins words, “seven fold” to the treasury of the United States through economic means, i.e. taxation and the work that the veterans were able to contribute after graduation. Stein also related the fact that those that have caused the recent economic crises the banks and wall street financiers who, strictly on their greed, and the hand of government relaxing guidelines of regulation were bailed out to the tune of trillions of dollars. If just a portion of that money were to be invested into free education, the benefits would far out way the costs. As a Green Candidate, Stein also proposes a “Green New Deal”, borrowing from President Roosevelt’s ‘New Deal’, a works program, that Stein estimates, would bring millions back to the work force. Stein proposes changing the infrastructure of major cities throughout the United States to accommodate more bike paths for commut- ing purposes. This in turn would help reduce carbon emissions and make for a healthier work force, an effort to remove us from the “couch potato” mentality that seems to permeate our soci- ety. Stein is also concerned with the state of the Health Care system. Steins term for this is “Sick Care System”. The current system is only ad- dressing the needs of the sick and should actually look at methods of prevention. Through this shift in the methodology, Billions of dollars should be saved and could be used towards other benefits that society as a whole could use. Stein argues that the current two party is system is flawed and that there needs to be change. Another example Stein brought to light is the Pennsylvania method of allowing third party candidates access the ballot. Here Stein related the steps that need to be taken and the face of it doesn’t sound too difficult. Twenty thousand “authentic” signatures are required to get a particular parties candidate onto the ballot for this falls election. The rub here 1s, if either party disputes the “authenticity” of those signatures, courts then get involved to validate or reject those signatures. With the threat of delay, the parties now feel the need to go above and beyond the required minimum and double, maybe triple the amount that is necessary to achieve a ballot slot. This deters some candidacies because if the challenge that is put forth for authenticity is won but those already in power, then the loser has to pay all court costs and attorney fees of the victor. Dr. Stein has many good ideas that she has brought to the table. In a nut shell, Stien is looking to end unemployment by investing in green jobs, end bailout that gave $12 trillion in cash to those who caused the economic sorrows we are facing, forgive student debt, create health care as “human right”, finally end the oil wars. For more information on Dr. Steins Presidential bid visit the Green Party Canidate’s web site at www.JillStein.org. Dr. Jill Stein (photo credit Jill Stein.org)
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