Binghamton University selects Chartwells as new campus dining partner
The Binghamton Auxiliary Services Board (“BASC”) has accepted the recommendation of campus auxiliary services to select Chartwells Higher Education (“Chartwells”) as the new campus dining partner for a ten-year term beginning June 1, 2026. The selection of Chartwells follows a comprehensive, multi-year process through which the BASC received four bids to provide food services to the campus. Starting next Monday, the Chartwells team will be on campus to meet with current dining team members, answer questions, and provide additional details about the transition ahead.
Chartwells Higher Education partners with more than 330 colleges and universities to create dining experiences shaped by student input and campus life. With a focus on quality, variety, and bringing people together, Chartwells works to make dining a place where students feel at home while introducing fresh ideas and ongoing innovation to campus.
This selection criteria were shaped by extensive campus engagement over a period dating back two years. More than 1,700 students completed surveys, while additional feedback was gathered through focus groups, student leadership meetings, and consultations with key campus partners and faculty and staff.
The University engaged Envision Strategies, a national higher education dining consultant, to ensure a thorough and data-driven approach. The selection process was led by Auxiliary Services and supported by a campus-wide advisory committee and included a multi-layered evaluation, including live campus presentations by three finalists attended by staff, students, and faculty.
“This was a campus-wide effort, and we deeply appreciate the level of engagement we received from the campus community throughout,” said Brian Rose, Vice President for Student Affairs. “Students, faculty, and staff worked side by side throughout the process, bringing their perspectives to the table and helping shape this important decision for our community.”
“All three finalists responded with strong proposals that exceeded the minimum requirements set forth by the campus in the request for proposals (“RFP”). While each of the three finalists had clear strengths, the evaluations scored Chartwells the highest across both programmatic and financial elements of the proposals.
Key priorities that shaped the selection included:
- Greater flexibility and value in meal plans
- Expanded cultural and dietary options, including kosher, halal, vegan, and allergen-friendly offerings
- Healthier and more diverse late-night choices
- Improved technology and mobile ordering
- Strong sustainability practices
- Enhanced catering and event services
- Continued student engagement and accountability
Chartwells proposal stood out for its innovative, customized culinary approach, investment in technology, commitment to sustainability, and their collaborative model for ongoing student and campus input.
The University will share additional details about new dining concepts, locations and program enhancements in the coming months as transition planning moves forward. Some features of the current meal plan structures are likely to remain in place through the first year of the new contract to allow for thoughtful planning and campus engagement around future enhancements.
Binghamton University extends its sincere appreciation to Sodexo for more than 40 years of service to the Binghamton campus community and for its longstanding partnership in supporting student life and campus dining.
“Sodexo has made significant contributions to Binghamton’s success over many years in ways that have probably not been fully appreciated by the broader campus community,” said Rose.
The BASC and campus auxiliary services will be working closely with Chartwells over the next few months to manage what will be a complex transition. Throughout the transition process, auxiliary services staff and Chartwells will continue to engage with the campus community to guide the many decisions that lie ahead so that they take into account the collective voice of the campus community.
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