BLOOMINGTON, IN – Indiana University President Adam Herbert said Feb. 2 the school will contract with Enterprise Rent-A-Car for the daily rental fleet that employees use for university-related travel, according to www.indystar.com. Students will be able to rent the vehicles for their own trips, said Terry Clapacs, an IU vice president who leads a task force studying motor pool outsourcing options.

As administrators considered the future of the 600-vehicle motor pool, several local officials — including Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan and some state legislators — argued against any outsourcing. They cited worries that it would lead to wage and benefit cuts for workers. IU union leaders and a group of community and faculty supporters met Friday with three members of IU’s Board of Trustees, delivering petitions signed by 3,455 people opposed to the school’s outsourcing plans.

School officials plan for the current motor pool staff to continue running the campus service garage, a motorist assistance service, a safety escort service and transportation for disabled students. Another company, Automotive Resources International, will provide leased vehicles for campus departments, according to www.indystar.com report.

Of the 12 people now working for the motor pool, Clapacs said one person would be offered a job with Enterprise or a chance to move to a different IU job. Three maintenance jobs will eventually be eliminated as the service shifts to vehicles under warranty, and those people will be offered other campus jobs.

Clapacs said the changes will free $3.6 million that has been tied up in vehicles. Herbert plans to put $2.2 million in a fund for the renovation of two campus buildings and keep $1.4 million in reserve.