Student employees expressed reservations about the possible privatization of ISU Dining Services at a staff meeting held Tuesday night by dining services.

The meeting, which Jon Lewis, director of dining services, said was private, was intended to give student employees information on the university’s privatization plans.

Lewis said the staff meeting was not meant to withhold information, but to inform and update dining service staff without outside influence, which could potentially affect participation and open discussion among the staff. No new information was given, and no vote or decision was made at the meeting, attended by approximately 50 student employees.

Lewis said dining services would not be in favor of the change.

“In our opinion, there’s no good thing to come out of it,” he said. “We think we’re very efficient. We have one of the best staffs in the nation.”

Students at the meeting expressed concerns about the possibility of privatization.

“I don’t think it’s going to happen – they’re meeting a lot of resistance with students,” said Chris Hassebroek, junior in accounting. “The students are concerned whether the new people would be as sympathetic as the current.”

Hassebroek said he didn’t think there would be enough support for privatization because the issue has been brought up many times before. Lewis said the university has hired 12 consultants during the past 15 years to do feasibility studies to evaluate different aspects of privatization.

David Foster, senior in political science, said there would possibly be job cuts as a result of the action.

“Professional staff will see turnover,” he said. “There is a potential of losing student staff, as well.”

Foster said even if students don’t lose their jobs, they might not get paid as much.

“A decrease in the amount of employment or the pay would be bad for students who are wanting to work there to pay for college,” he said.

Foster also said money might be taken from the state of Iowa because more of the service’s suppliers could be based out of state.

Another issue brought up was the possibility of losing work study, which allows students to work on campus and pay reduced tuition.

Lewis, though, he doesn’t see that happening.

Teresa Krebs, manager of food services for dining services, said she was concerned about losing her job.

“I’ve been here 18 years and I’m very worried,” she said. “I have a house payment to make and I’m 50 years old.”