About 30 percent of student jobs remain open in Ball State University's dining services, and Jon Lewis plans to changes that.
Lewis will replace director of Residence Halls Dining Service Ann Talley when she retires in June.
Lewis said he would like to find out why not many students work for Ball State's dining services and try to increase this number.
"I encourage him to do that because it's necessary to our survival," said Talley.
She said Iowa State University had 100 percent of student dining service positions filled before the first day of school.
"We have not been successful in doing that," said Talley. Ball State has 68 percent of student positions filled. Other factors must be considered when comparing the two communities, though, she said, such as competition and wages.
"Not being able to fill jobs is definitely a problem," said Talley.
Ball State's dining service program is well-known and advanced, Lewis said.
"The dining services has a great reputation," he said. "The current program is a good one."
He currently serves as the director of the dining department at Iowa State. He said the facilities at Ball State are maintained better compared to the facilities at Iowa State.
"I can focus more on food services, as opposed to auxiliary services," Lewis said. "I will focus more on student needs."
Although Lewis has experienced privatization of dining services at other universities, he does not plan to privatize dining services at Ball State.
"I am a proponent of self-operated food services, which Ball State is," he said.
Lewis said he will come to Ball State in January to spend six months working with Talley before her retirement to help ensure a smooth transition.
Talley said she will bring Lewis up to date on what is going on around campus. She said Lewis' first assignment will be to make a new strategic plan. The plan identifies the goals that the department has and how the department will meet these goals.
"You're at a university to gain education and get a degree, so we're not the main reason you're here, but it's important to have a good dining service," he said.
Norm Beck, executive director of auxiliary services and head of the search committee who hired Lewis, said Lewis has credible credentials.
"He's had a vast majority of experience," Beck said. "He has been a food service director at various colleges."
Lewis received his master's degree in finance from California State University and his bachelor's degree in restaurant, hotel and institutional management with an emphasis in business from Purdue University. He has been in food services since 1976. He has worked at Northern Illinois University, California State University, the University of the Pacific, the University of Maine and Iowa State University.
"We're very fortunate to have him," Beck said. "He holds a similar position at Iowa State, which is bigger and more complex," he said.
Lewis has experience with things that Ball State is anticipating, such as the entertainment suites in the new stadium, he said. The football stadium is being redesigned with entertainment suites, and the suites will have food services, he said.
Talley was also on the search committee that hired Lewis.
"Jon has a good reputation among his peers around the country," Talley said. "He is very knowledgeable. He's been successful at his other food service locations. I find him to be a warm individual, a good listener and someone who is interested in students."
Lewis said he looks forward to making new friends and joining the university, and Beck said Lewis will fit in well with the community at Ball State.
"I just think his demeanor and presence will make him fit in well with not only the employees, but also the faculty, staff and students," he said.
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