Flowing from the (out) source

Outsourcing. It's a word that has the power to make executives foam at the mouth with profit-envy, all the while making angry union organizers tout the necessity of keeping jobs on American soil.\nBut this word, no matter its amazing ability to feed thousands of overseas sweat-shop adolescents, does have a more homegrown and positive correlation. \nBy now you've likely heard about IU's intention to privatize several aspects of the IU Motor Pool operation. At its Feb. 2 meeting, the board of trustees praised the plan that is expected to generate about $3.6 million in freed capital, most of which will (in theory) be used to undertake much needed renovations of Ballantine and Franklin halls. Enterprise Rent-A-Car (the one's that will "pick you up," according to their advertisements) will assume operation of the University's daily rental-car fleet, allowing students 18 years of age to rent cars.\nIf you're aware of this plan, you're probably also aware of the opposition various people and groups voiced throughout the process. Issues of job security and potentially unfair employee treatment certainly (and understandably) fueled this opposition. \nWhile we sympathize with these concerns, our reaction to the plan, which was developed through an inclusive and fair review process, is positive.\nNot only will the University save a significant amount of money, but the fears of overt and unnecessary job loss have seemingly been allayed. Only four employee positions (three full-time) are expected to be affected, all of which will have the immediate (and we believe necessary) option of being reassigned within the University. If this truly is the case, we applaud the plan and its developers for their attention to minimizing the impact on people's livelihood.\nThe process of the plan deserves accolades as well. Along with a private consulting firm, Crowe Chizek, 10 University representatives, from administrators to professors to students, composed an evaluation committee that studied this issue. Undergraduates may have been shut out of the presidential search process, but their inclusion in this process is both noted and appreciated. \nHopefully, this indicates a trend.\nThis does not, however, grant a clean slate to the board of trustees and the rest of the administration to go hog wild in outsourcing. For all the benefits yielded by privatization efforts, there are shortfalls. Should the University become too complacent in its outsourcing agenda, it runs the risk of losing what distinguishes the public sector from the private: true accountability. Scholars and practitioners alike note privatization comes at a cost of losing control and oversight. We ask: How far is the University willing to go to gain money for capital improvements?\nThe next meeting of the board of trustees will bring yet another presentation on outsourcing, this time for the University's bookstore. Other services currently being considered include printing and food services. While there are certainly benefits that will be accrued from the outsourcing of these services, we offer one piece of advice: Proceed with caution. No amount of freed capital can replace the loss an employee's livelihood.