The Miami University is switching back to Chartwells Higher Education after only fulfilling two years of a 10-year contract with Aramark.

Workers at some campus eateries employed by Aramark will have to reapply for Chartwells, according to a news release from the university. However, current Miami dining employees will not be affected.

The current Starbucks locations, Panera, and the food delivery robots will remain despite the switch.

Miami first outsourced food service to Chartwells in 2021, but initiated a 10-year contract with  Aramak in 2022. 

Miami dining services and Chartwells did not return calls for comment by publication time. 

According to the press release from Miami, more information on the switch back to Chartwells will be released this semester. Chartwells will begin operating on May 20. 

Kelsey Hawkins, who was previously responsible for hiring people to Miami University dining with Aramak, said the company had no issues remaining fully staffed over the last two years.

Officials and employers in town said that hiring service employees has not been an issue this semester.

Mark Johnson, general manager of Skipper’s Pub, primarily hires Miami students. He said there is typically an influx of applications at the beginning of each semester, and the bar and restaurant have historically received many more applications than open positions. 

Seth Cropenbaker, economic development specialist for Oxford, said that  30 percent of all jobs in Oxford are in the service industry.

“We can see how much of our economy relies on the presence of Miami and the undergrad students,” he said. “The service economy runs when there are people in town. When students are in session, there are plenty of customers and a high labor pool. When students are gone, things dry up and it creates real challenges.”