The Undergraduate Student Government Tempe passed a Senate resolution on Oct. 29 recommending that ASU does not renew its contract with food service provider Aramark if an investigation proves employment discrimination, a hostile work environment or retaliation.
According to the Senate resolution, SR2, international students have allegedly experienced reductions in vacation time resulting in limited time to visit family, denied time off for medical concerns, dismissed from positions and compelled to work in "circumstances that contravene their values" or religious beliefs.
Penda Sisay, a USG-T senator for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said during the USG-T meeting that international students can only work 20 hours a week during the semester and those on student visas cannot work at jobs located off campus, leaving on-campus jobs the only option for work. Sisay said these students are also protected under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
USG-T was informed on Oct. 22 of Aramark's alleged mistreatment of their international student employees, according to the resolution.
During the USG-T Senate meeting on Oct. 29, the resolution was discussed and fine-tuned before the recommendation was passed through a vote by acclamation.
"This is just a recommendation to administration, to Aramark, to faculty," Hailey Boiarsky, a USG-T senator for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said during the meeting. "So this is not us automatically pulling out of a contract or anything. This is a recommendation — if these claims, allegations — if they're proven true, then you know this is our recommendation for how we proceed."
James Driscoll, a USG-T senator for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said during the meeting there is a history of lawsuits against Aramark in the past regarding hostile work environments as well as sex and race-based discrimination.
According to the resolution, several employees were hesitant to report their accusations due to fear of potential termination, or retaliation.
"We value and respect our employees, including our student and international team members, and we investigate all issues that are brought forward to us," an Aramark spokesperson said in an emailed statement. "The student resolution was the first we have heard of this issue, and we are working with ASU to explore these allegations. All employees have an opportunity to discuss their concerns with a manager, supervisor, or Human Resources, including options to do so anonymously."
The Senate advocates for University administrators to "evaluate the treatment" of international student employees at ASU, according to the Senate resolution.
"The Undergraduate Student Government Tempe Senate stands in solidarity with International Students and all individuals who have been mistreated and adversely affected by such conditions," the Senate resolution said. "We are committed to advocating for their rights and well-being."
The possibility of a third-party investigation was also discussed in the meeting, but it was determined by USG-T that it does not lie in their hands.
"Just put yourself in their shoes," Rishik Chaudhary, a senator for the W.P. Carey School of Business said during the meeting. "That is one of your family members, that's one of your cousins, that's one of your brothers, that's a family member coming from a different country, leaving their family, leaving their friends, and this is the treatment that they are met with."
Andrew Dirst contributed to this story.
Edited by Senna James, Sophia Ramirez, Tiya Talwar, Alysa Horton and Natalia Jarrett.
Reach the reporter at ktale@asu.edu and follow @KasturiTale on X.
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Kasturi is a sophomore studying journalism. This is her second semester with The State Press. She has her own blog and has worked in creative writing.
