FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Compass Group of North America will provide $2.5 million to the University of Arkansas for the construction of a new dining facility in the Northwest Quadrant Housing building.

The Northwest Quadrant housing building is a new 600-bed residence hall complex and dining facility currently being constructed between Maple and Cleveland streets along Garland Avenue. It’s also the site of the future Pat Walker Health Center.

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Johnetta Cross Brazzell said, "The Division of Student Affairs strives to create an on-campus community with a variety of educational opportunities from which students may choose. Positive out-of-class experiences translate into even better in-class experiences and aid in student recruitment and retention. Compass Group’s generous gift to build a new dining center will give our students another valuable resource to aid in their overall educational experience."

Compass Group North America is a leading contract foodservice and vending company with customers in just about every market. Chartwells College and University Dining Services, a division of Compass Group North America, is the dining services provider on the UA campus.

Bill Zemke, resident district manager for Chartwells, said, "Chartwells and Compass Group are proud providers of foodservices to the University of Arkansas. We look forward to bringing a tradition of affordable, high quality, healthy and nutritious food choices to UA students in the new dining facility."

Construction of the 248,000 square-foot, $46-million project began in fall 2002 with completion scheduled for summer 2004.

Compass Group’s gift will be counted toward The $300 Million Challenge, the campaign-within-a-campaign to raise $300 million for academic purposes to match the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation’s $300 million gift. Challenge funds must be raised between Jan. 1, 2002, and June 30, 2005, the end of the Campaign. The Campaign goal is to raise $900 million, of which $719.7 million has been raised as of May 31, 2003. The Challenge total stood at $104.8 million as of May 31, 2003. Student Affairs has raised $9.7 million against a $13.2 million Campaign goal as of May 31, 2003.

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