Aramark gift makes renovations feasible

UCA has spent around $400,000 recently on the President’s house. Though the renovations were necessary for the safety of the inhabitants, more renovations done with state and tuition money seem excessive.
During Friday’s board of trustees meeting, it was announced that Aramark, UCA’s food service provider, will give a $700,000 donation to be used for renovations to the President’s House.
This revelation has seemingly remedied any problem that UCA students, faculty or staff might have with using money for the President’s House.
According to a report from the President’s Residence Advisory Committee, the earlier renovations to the President’s House took care of mold and lead problems in the house.
Since safety problems have been taken care of in the house, no other state or tuition funds should go toward optional renovations.
However, since private funds will be used on the house, there is no reason that UCA should not be able to renovate the house.
At least one of the renovations to the house may be required by state law. A bathroom in the house that may be used for functions is not up to state standards. However, other renovations, such as a new industrial kitchen for the house, are not necessary for the Meadors to live comfortably.
Aramark’s donation has taken the burden off of the UCA community and taxpayers, creating a mutually beneficial situation that will help both UCA and Aramark.
The board of trustees also said that any money that is needed past the $700,000 donation would be raised by other means and would be private funds.
Aramark’s interest in renovating the President’s House stems from the events that are usually held at the house. Aramark caters the events, so more events being held means more business for Aramark.
UCA will also benefit from the increased number of events. Most events are held for potential donors to UCA, so if the President’s House is more inviting, they may be more likely to donate.
Aramark has said the contract with UCA only stipulates that the money be used for renovations to the house. The contract does not include any promises from UCA for any beneficial treatment.
Although it is hard to imagine a large corporation spending money and expecting nothing concrete in return, Aramark’s donation has put UCA in the perfect position to renovate the house without spending public money.
It is not a bad idea to renovate the President’s House, but it does not deserve preferential treatment over other buildings that directly affect academics.
According to the President’s Residence committee report, not only would opinion on renovating the house be negative in the campus community, opinion may even turn against UCA in the state community as well.
With the economy in an uncertain state, it is understandable that most people do not want their tax and tuition money spent on renovations that they may see as frivolous and unnecessary.
The UCA President’s House is owned by UCA, not the Meadors. This means that the burden for the house falls upon UCA. However, the president’s substantial salary and benefits do not quite warrant that UCA spend a large chunk of money to pay for renovations that are not absolute necessities.