Sodexo issue beyond Whittier, concern nationwide
Erika E. Perez
Issue date: 3/4/10 Section: News
A meeting was held on Feb. 19 to inform students about Whittier College housekeepers and their relationship with Sodexo, a global leading company in facilities management services. The meeting served to make students aware that the issues with Sodexo pertain to workers in other states and not only Whittier College.
"The meeting was just to give context to the situation as a national movement," junior Devika Ghai said. "From here on, our primary focus is to educate ourselves to make better informed decisions."
President Herzberger was not able to attend the meeting, but also encourages the community to become informed on the issues. "We should listen carefully and try to seek all information available before arriving at conclusions." Herzberger said.
An unexpected man who claimed to be a reporter from an organization called La Voz de Aztlan tried to attend the meeting, but was not allowed. He read about the meeting in the Quaker Campus and wanted to speak to the students.
"He came off as aggressive from the beginning," MEChA Advisor Ana Lilia Barraza said. "He said he wasn't going to leave until he talked to the students." The man then made disrespectful and insulting comments when he was asked to leave the campus. "He became very rude and started yelling racial slurs to our staff," Barraza said. He was eventually escorted off campus by Associate Dean of Students Andre Coleman and Director of LEAP Rick Clark.
During the meeting, students were encouraged to do their own research on Sodexo and educate themselves about the cause they are supporting. "Our goal right now is just to educate the students," union leader Ankush Dhupar said. The student supporters planned to raise awareness of what is happening by setting up tables outside of the C.I.
On March 3, students sat outside the C.I. giving out brochures with information about higher education worker unions and purple pins to raise awareness and show support.
"The meeting was just to give context to the situation as a national movement," junior Devika Ghai said. "From here on, our primary focus is to educate ourselves to make better informed decisions."
President Herzberger was not able to attend the meeting, but also encourages the community to become informed on the issues. "We should listen carefully and try to seek all information available before arriving at conclusions." Herzberger said.
An unexpected man who claimed to be a reporter from an organization called La Voz de Aztlan tried to attend the meeting, but was not allowed. He read about the meeting in the Quaker Campus and wanted to speak to the students.
"He came off as aggressive from the beginning," MEChA Advisor Ana Lilia Barraza said. "He said he wasn't going to leave until he talked to the students." The man then made disrespectful and insulting comments when he was asked to leave the campus. "He became very rude and started yelling racial slurs to our staff," Barraza said. He was eventually escorted off campus by Associate Dean of Students Andre Coleman and Director of LEAP Rick Clark.
During the meeting, students were encouraged to do their own research on Sodexo and educate themselves about the cause they are supporting. "Our goal right now is just to educate the students," union leader Ankush Dhupar said. The student supporters planned to raise awareness of what is happening by setting up tables outside of the C.I.
On March 3, students sat outside the C.I. giving out brochures with information about higher education worker unions and purple pins to raise awareness and show support.
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