STATEMENT FROM JOHN JAY COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE
May 8, 2018

In January 2018, John Jay College of Criminal Justice announced a search for a new campus food service provider, but shortly afterwards the central administration of CUNY announced that it had decided to change current policy and hire a single vendor to oversee food services at all campuses. The University’s process will result in the replacement of John Jay’s independent food services contract with MBJ Food Service, and will provide for stronger oversight uniformly across all university facilities.

The CUNY Board of Trustees Chairman William Thompson explained that the “[CUNY] Board is committed to ensuring food service workers enjoy dignity in their workplaces on all our campuses.” Chairman Thompson said that the CUNY RFP will include strong language regarding expected vendor compliance with employment laws, audit rights for CUNY, and a labor harmony agreement to protect the rights of food service workers.

As a result, John Jay cancelled the College’s RFP and did not select any vendor. Instead, John Jay will work closely with CUNY throughout the University’s RFP process to select a new vendor. Until a University-wide food service provider is chosen, MBJ will continue under its existing contract to provide food services for our community under continued close oversight.

John Jay President Karol Mason stated, “I am confident that by participating in the CUNY-wide search for campus food service providers, John Jay will be best positioned to provide affordable, nutritious food options for the benefit of everyone on our campus, as well as to support safe and fair labor practices. I appreciate the partnership of CUNY, the food service workers, and other stakeholders in promptly addressing these issues