The Board of Regents will select a food-service provider for UNM at its meeting Wednesday.
Aramark, the food-service provider for the University, will reach the end of its eight-year contract in April.
Students have said Aramark provides unhealthy options and forbids bringing outside food into the SUB and La Posada.
The regents will decide between renewing Aramark's contract and inking a new one with Chartwells - a competitor selected by a committee of students and University administrators.
Bruce Cherrin, director of procurement services, said he expects the regents to agree with the committee's recommendation.
"It was a committee decision, and we certainly have a lot of faith in the committee and the process," he said.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Committee members said they recommended Chartwells because the company promised to provide healthy options and permit students to bring outside food into the SUB and La Posada.
Student David Martinez said students shouldn't expect the quality of food to rise if Chartwells is chosen as the new food-service provider.
"A lot of the time, their selection is limited, and it's disgusting," he said.
Martinez said he was introduced to Chartwells' food at New Mexico Tech and has been repelled by it ever since.
GPSA member Calvin Tribby said Aramark's restrictions on outside food have stopped students from providing ethnic foods at events that feature speakers from other countries.
The new food-service provider should make concessions on behalf of the students, he said.
"In my opinion, the purpose of the University is to provide a forum for the free exchange of knowledge and opinions," Tribby said. "This essential function is restricted when certain food-sponsored events cannot even use buildings on campus - specifically the SUB - to support their commission."
Martinez said students are blowing Aramark's faults out of proportion.
"One thing that people are always complaining about is that, 'Oh, the places on campus don't give you many choices,' but no one is forcing the food down their mouth, you know," he said. "There's the vegetarian Thai place, and I heard that Middle Eastern restaurant is pretty good. And even if they don't like what's in the immediate area, they could catch a Rapid Ride and go somewhere else."
PIRG member Sean DeBuck said he would like to have Chartwells take over as the University's food-service provider because the company is known for getting involved with local farmers.
But in order to keep the company honest, students have to speak up, DeBuck said.
"As far as Chartwells and these other companies go, they are what we the students make them," he said. "Students need to get involved and voice their opinions either way - for or against them."
DeBuck said no matter which provider is selected, PIRG will be there to make sure the company is held responsible for its actions.
"It's not over, no matter what happens," he said.
