MORGANTOWN, WV (LOOTPRESS) – West Virginia University has entered a new partnership with Elior Collegiate Dining to improve residential, retail, and catering dining services across its Morgantown, Beckley, and Keyser campuses.
The collaboration, effective immediately, forms the WVU Hospitality Group, which replaces WVU Dining Services.
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“WVU Hospitality Group will provide the kinds of dining experiences our students, faculty, staff and other members of the University community deserve,” said Erin Newmeyer, associate vice president for WVU Strategic Partnerships.
Elior Collegiate Dining, formerly Aladdin Campus Dining, was founded in West Virginia’s Northern Panhandle and is currently headquartered in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.
The company has over 45 years of experience serving colleges and universities across the country.
“Our mission is to provide the best possible college dining experience for every student so their college life experience thrives,” said Travis Young, senior president of education for Elior North America.
“As part of a strong partnership, we are committed to making WVU dining revolutionary. What does that mean? We are going to stand out with bold flavors, customized service and culture-driven spaces. Our focus will be campus connections that matter with wellness and nutrition, true hospitality, innovative technology and a strategic vision for the University.”
Hiring for the WVU Hospitality Group began in June. Students, faculty, and staff are already seeing new food concepts and ordering options as part of an ongoing rollout.
“Students, faculty and staff are already beginning to see an initial rollout of new food concepts, ordering options and much more,” Young said. “That work will continue at a fast pace in existing and new spaces through the coming weeks and months.”
Some of the new food offerings are being developed with the help of celebrity chef Fabio Viviani, known for his role on Bravo’s “Top Chef.”
Elior Collegiate Dining also works with a third-party quality assurance company to independently monitor food products and services, ensuring that diner feedback is regularly incorporated into operations.
“The company’s culture aligns with our Mountaineer Values which include accountability,” Newmeyer said.
“The people with Elior Collegiate Dining understand our vision and our priorities. Their plans for WVU Hospitality Group are tailored specifically to meet the needs of our students, our campuses and our larger University community.”
The agreement with Elior Collegiate Dining, approved by the WVU Board of Governors on June 13, is separate from and does not impact the current food service contract for WVU Athletics.
