RPS considers scrapping McDonald's

The fate of the Read Center McDonald's is still uncertain.\nThe Mean Plan Committee will vote on whether to renew the franchise's contract at their Oct. 14 meeting. \nThe group, comprised of representatives from Residential Programs and Services and the Residence Halls Association, will make its decision immediately following a presentation by McDonald's corporation representatives, said junior Sam Scarpino, a vice president of RHA and the committee's chair. If the contract is renewed, however, it must have terms that would be more financially beneficial to both the University and the students, said RPS Executive Director Pat Connor.\nThe reluctance to renew the McDonald's contract with IU, which is set to expire at the end of the 2006-07 academic year, stems from the fact that only 10 percent of every meal point purchase at the restaurant goes back to RPS, and the University receives no profit from cash sales. Because of this, other RPS dining facilities are pressured to make up for the lost money, Connor said.\nThe Meal Plan Committee has held biweekly meetings to discuss IU's options and decide what should be done. Connor said for now, it is simply trying to determine what "existing business practices" are being used by other universities and franchises since it has been ten years since the University has drafted this type of contract. \n"First we'll do an analysis of what the market is right now," he said. "We hope we'll be able to have a contract that will be a better program for RPS and for students who live in residence halls."\nThough the committee is looking to see which other franchises are interested in marketing their products at universities, RPS has not ruled out the possibility of renewing McDonald's contract. \nConnor and Scarpino both emphasized how important students' input is in the decision-making process.\n"It's impossible to speak to every student, but we're trying to speak to as many as possible," Scarpino said.\nFrom the input they've already received, students like the cheap prices and "grab and go" of McDonald's, but several would like to have a healthier option, such as Subway. Some students simply want to see a new restaurant for the sake of change, Scarpino said. \nResidence center presidents and floor governors are trying to get input from residents, and students are encouraged to attend RHA's Presidents Council meetings and the meetings of the Meal Plan Committee to express their opinions. Scarpino said the best time for students to voice their opinions would be the next President's Council meeting which is at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Collins Center's Cheshire Cat Café. \nHe also wants to encourage students to talk to their residence hall government and to e-mail him personally with their thoughts. Scarpino can be reached via e-mail at sscarpin@indiana.edu.