On March 5 at 11:30 a.m., the housekeeping department was invited to a meeting.
After a light lunch, the group was not served dessert, but rather breaking news: Housekeeping was going to be outsourced to a company called CSI International.
President Mirta Martin sees the move as essential to the longevity of the college.
“Ferrum College continually evaluates its operations to ensure we are positioning the institution for long-term stability, efficiency, and growth,” explained Martin. “As part of that ongoing process, we have partnered with an external facilities services organization to support housekeeping operations.”
While campus administration sees the outsourcing of housekeeping to be a positive step toward the college’s future, some members of the housekeeping have concerns.
“I feel really betrayed,” reported a housekeeping employee, choosing anonymity out of fear. “At all of our faculty and staff meetings, the president refers to us as a family. She had nothing but praise for housekeeping. Now it feels like we’ve been sold to the lowest bidder.”
The college plans to implement the outsourcing at the end of April, following the spring semester. However, current employees have no guarantee of hire by CSI International. In fact, employees have two months to re-apply for jobs they already have. Many are frightened of losing their jobs.
Although the company offers opportunities for higher pay than the college currently offers, many members of the housekeeping staff are skeptical of how their benefits might be affected. Many employees are dependent on campus housing, insurance, and the educational opportunities provided on campus.
And most are scared to speak out about it, hence the anonymity.
“We currently make $12.77/hr, and the minimum wage is proposed to increase to $13.75/hr in January 2027,” began a second housekeeping employee, also requesting to not be named. “Not much of a raise, especially since it seems that we will lose much of the benefits that keep us from going to other places with higher pay; our paid winter break, our children’s free education, and our ability to take classes.”
However, Martin assured that the outsourcing has only the best intentions for the college in mind.
“The intent of this partnership is to further strengthen our ability to continue to maintain high standards of cleanliness and facility care across campus while also ensuring operational sustainability as the college continues to grow.”
Martin also noted that the decision has the best interest of the campus community in mind.
“This company values experience and will honor employees’ years of service at Ferrum College,” Martin said. “We view this partnership as a positive step for both our campus community and our students.”
