Versa Campus Services will replace Marriott as Trent's food-service provider for the next 10 years.

      Trent's Board of Governors has agreed to hire Versa. Details of the new contract are to be worked out, but the new food-service provider plans to introduce major changes to student meal plans, dining-hall service and snack-bar operations.

      John Burbidge chaired the committee responsible for tendering Trent's food-service contract and recommending Versa. He says he is excited about this contract. "First, it offers an opportunity to our colleges to create a distinctive character around their unique food-service option. Second, it focuses on food service for the whole Trent community, not just the residential dining halls, with the exciting new retail court at Otonabee. Third, we have a major commitment from Versa to renew our facilities to provide better food and better service."

      This is Versa's first contract with Trent. Versa replaces Marriott Corporation, Trent's food provider for the past nine years.

      Under the new agreement, the Otonabee College servery will change to a seven-day-a-week retail operation featuring commercial food chains and Versa's own display-food outlets open days and evenings. Lady Eaton and Champlain college dining halls will continue as now to serve three meals a day, six days a week, alternating days on the weekend.

      Food-service options at downtown colleges are being reviewed to address student concerns about proposed service.

      The snack bar in the Science Complex will be closed and one reopened in Blackburn Hall.

      Meal plans will vary in cost and flexibility for students living in different residential colleges:

• in Otonabee College, students will pay $2,300 for a declining balance meal plan. For each item -- soup, salads, sandwiches, grill, deli, panini, wraps, bagels, pizza and cafeteria-style meal -- the cost will be deducted from their account.

• Lady Eaton and Champlain college students will pay $2,600 for a board plan, that is 15 all-you-can-eat meals at their colleges per week plus 300 flex dollars that could be used in retail outlets.

• Peter Robinson and Traill college plans are under review. Students petitioned against a $1,900 reduced board plan of five breakfasts and five dinners per week.

      Fast-food outlets will operate at Otonabee and: at Bata Library, Tim Horton's and Pizza Pizza; at Champlain College snack bar, Pizza Pizza, Mr Sub and Versa's own Grillworks. A Starbucks coffee outlet might also locate on campus.

      Trent's college kitchens are up to 30 years old and Versa has agreed to invest $850,000 over the 10-year agreement for renovations. The bulk will go to transforming the Otonabee College servery into a retail operation. A portion will be used to renovate other kitchens and snack bars. Major changes will be introduced to Champlain and Lady Eaton colleges in the second year of the contract.

      Versa has agreed to employ all non-management Marriott employees and to employ students for a minimum of 11,000 hours over the year.

      The company will also contribute $50,000 to fund a Trent student scholarship.

      Versa Campus Services provides food services at 13 Canadian universities.