SSC Service Solutions will head maintenance operations

Prairie View A&M University President George C. Wright announced the potential relationship between PVAMU and SSC Service Solutions, member of Compass Group North America, in a formal memorandum Feb. 26.
If a actual relationship between the two parties arises, SSC Service Solutions will take over all building maintenance responsibilities and manage all landscaping and custodial services.
Each university and college within the Texas A&M University System is being considered in this new partnership.
After approving a formal contract with Compass Group North America in August, the system released a statement.
"This partnership advances my goal to reallocate our scarce resources to recruit, pay, and retain faculty and researchers throughout the A&M System. It is truly a win-win and we look forward to their partnership," said System Chancellor John Sharp.
The change of management has the possibility to generate $260 million over ten years throughout the entire system while Prairie View may see a $12 million increase in discretionary revenue.
The partnership dissolves all current employment contracts with maintenance, landscaping, and custodial staff, yet SSC Service Solutions will renew their contracts as Compass Group employees.
Alesia Cleaver, a custodial supervisor in the Memorial Student Center, said, "We were made a good offer which includes a pay raise although we are losing some vacation time. You win some and you lose some but we're blessed to still have jobs and the support of the university."
President Wright assures the new relationship will mirror those with American Campus Communities, Ellucian, and Sodexo.
"In each of these areas, the employees of these companies have provided an excellent level of service and the Compass Group will be held to the same standard," said Wright in a memorandum released to students Tuesday.
In 2008 at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas SSC Service Solutions created initiatives like trash pick up at residence halls and even division of work with a consistent salary structure while pushing the motto "easier, cheaper, better" to assure efficient task management.
Texas A&M University President R. Bowen Loftin aided Chancellor Sharp in the recent contract work between the system and Compass Group.
He mentioned in the system's official release that the success of Compass Group and SSC Service Solutions at other universities assures the system that the experience of the company will benefit the overall system management.
"Compass Group's extensive experience in the academic setting will benefit our students, staff and faculty by offering operating efficiencies, training and advancement opportunities that have previously been limited," said Loftin.
The official announcement of the new relationship will come in the next few months and even as early as April 1.
As contracts are finalized, SSC Service Solutions remains optimistic about their new relationship with Texas A&M University System.
"We are excited to bring our industry experience in custodial and campus services, plant operations and grounds management to support Texas A&M's mission of academic and research excellence. We look forward to sustaining a learning environment for all of the members of the Texas A&M University family," said Don Williams, SSC Service Solutions President.