WEST LAFAYETTE – Purdue University said it will not hire a private company to perform custodial services and has decided instead to keep the 700 janitor jobs in-house.

School officials said Thursday an internal review found the quality of work done by the janitors at the school is better than what a private company could offer. They also said there are intangible benefits, such as relationships with students and staff, and the ability to create a secure environment and respond to emergencies.

“I wouldn’t say it was a surprise of what we found,” said Al Diaz, treasurer and executive vice president for business and finance. “I was pleased with the results, and it does confirm that the custodial services are doing a great job.”

Indiana colleges and universities have been looking at ways to save money since December, when Gov. Mitch Daniels ordered a reduction of $150 million in higher education funding through June 2011 because of shortfalls in projected state tax revenues.

In March, administrators began an assessment of the services and purchases made across the campus custodial divisions. That was part of an attempt to identify cost savings in face of an expected $67 million deficit by summer 2012 because of sagging state revenue.

A target amount was never identified, but officials said at the time a change in business practices could save money.

Diaz said a request for proposal to targeted companies to see how much it would cost for the same custodial services was never issued.

The possibility of outsourcing jobs upset some at Purdue. A petition against outsourcing was started by a history professor. Campus and community members also sent a letter to Purdue President France Cordova asking her not to privatize the jobs.

Diaz said no outside pressures factored in the decision.