Barnard/Chartwells Partnership FAQs

The process in selecting a dining service vendor was extensive, and involved collaboration and input from all areas touching the student residential dining experience. To guide Barnard through this process, the College hired JGL Consultants, a food service consultancy firm specializing in mission-based nonprofit dining needs.

The consultants met with functional areas and departments invested in dining throughout campus, and attended town halls and SGA meetings specifically to gather feedback from students. The feedback received at these town hall and SGA meetings created the framework for the RFP proposal, which was submitted to 10 possible bidders. Ultimately, the College received strong proposals from five vendors and established a shortlist for committee interviews and presentations.

Yes. There was a student representative on the selection committee, and several students joined the committee on site visits to other schools to evaluate the quality of food and the operations of the finalists.

Key areas identified in student conversations were finding a dining service vendor experienced in serving diverse communities with wide-ranging dietary needs, incorporating technology into the customer dining experience, and creating a unique “Barnard” feel to dining on campus. On these areas of evaluation, Chartwells scored the highest marks with the committee.

Chief Operating Officer Rob Goldberg led the recommendation committee, which was composed of representatives from the Finance Office, Campus Services, Facilities, Student Life, Residential Life, and the Student Government Association.

We anticipate that Chartwells will take over in July 2019.

All employment decisions are ultimately decided by the food service provider. Chartwells has already reached out to the Aramark employees’ union and plans to interview all current hourly employees with the intent of hiring all qualified staff to be part of the new team.

Yes. Chartwells has a history of successful and productive union relationships.

For the 2019-2020 academic year, the College does not anticipate making any material changes in the meal plan offerings. Over the next year, we will work with students and Chartwells on whether and how to modify meal plans to meet the needs of our students.

The College is still in the process of determining rates for the next academic year and will make those public in the coming weeks.

As part of the process, Columbia discussed dining services with us and determined that the current Columbia-Barnard Meal Exchange works best for both institutions. The benefits that Barnard and Columbia students receive from the current meal exchange will remain.

Yes! We are excited to have student input throughout the transition and in the years to come. While we want to engage students in the immediate offerings of the dining service provider, the College and Chartwells will also be partnering on a major renovation of Hewitt Dining Hall. The College is eager to involve students into how to best to establish a community feel within Hewitt Dining Hall.

The College will be working with Chartwells on a transition plan that will include student participation. You can send questions or suggestions by texting 929-205-5585 or emailing barnarddining@compass-usa.com.

Chartwells will be the exclusive provider for all residential dining on campus, including Liz’s Place and Peet’s Coffee Bar.

At this point, Barnard is not anticipating additional dining locations; instead we are focusing on renovating and refreshing the existing dining outlets.

Yes. One reason why the College selected Chartwells was its ability to provide innovative and exciting scratch-cooked menu items with many ingredients sourced from local farms and vendors. Chartwells wants students to be the driving force in the dining program and will be open to feedback on menu options both during the transition and over the coming academic year.

We anticipate that the dining hours of operations will be the same as this spring semester.

Yes, Chartwells is committed to honoring all current terms and conditions of the Columbia-Barnard Meal Exchange.

Chartwells is excited to continue the traditions of Midnight Breakfast and the Big Sub and is looking forward to collaborating with the student body in establishing new traditions.

Yes. Chartwells will provide entirely new menus that will accommodate the dietary needs of all of our students, including enhancing kosher, halal, vegan, and other allergen-free options.

Yes. Chartwells will procure nearly a third of all produce and proteins from local farms and vendors. Chartwells has made local purchase a key component of the dining program.

Chartwells looks forward to engaging with students on all these dietary issues and restrictions. Extensive conversations will be held with the kosher- and halal-observant communities, both in terms of the immediate offerings in the fall of 2019, as well as extensive involvement with both communities for the Hewitt Dining Hall renovation plans. Greater vegan and vegetarian offerings will be introduced in the fall of 2019, with a focus on increasing variety and options for students adhering to plant-based diets.

Yes. We will work with Chartwells and interested students to evaluate the food preparation area requirements for both kosher and halal dining in the near term and as part of the renovation plans for Hewitt Dining Hall.

A key part of the Chartwells proposal was introducing a complete renovation of the Hewitt Dining Hall experience to be a cornerstone of student life on Barnard’s campus. Student input in the look, feel, and design of the dining hall will be important. The design and planning process will take place during the next academic year with the goal of completing the renovation for the start of the Fall 2020 academic year.

Increasing the technology interaction with food services is a key element of the dining program. Mobile ordering will help nourish students throughout their busy days, adding an element of speed and convenience to their campus dining experience. Signage in all dining locations will also use technology to display ingredients and other nutritional information.

While the College is excited about the mobile ordering offerings, the College and Chartwells will be looking at traffic flow and ordering ease in the campus locations to improve the speed and convenience of the service during all mealtimes.

Chartwells will be a preferred caterer for on-campus events.

Yes, Chartwells will be providing vending machines on campus. Chartwells has committed to providing cashless options in all vending machines on campus.

Chartwells is committed to working with the College on issues of food insecurity and will never turn away a hungry student. Chartwells will provide the College with annual funding to help tackle these issues and will work with the College on a meal donation program. The College plans to continue the program begun last fall to provide meal swipes toward the end of each semester for those students who are low or are out of swipes.

Chartwells has never provided any food service operations within any correctional facilities.

The parent company of Chartwells, Compass Group NA, does not have any companies that provide dining service operations at any United States correctional facilities. Compass Group made a conscious decision to no longer serve meals in prisons and divested all remaining interest in its corrections division in 2014. Unlike others in their industry, Compass Group does not have a prison-dining-focused division.  

Chartwells partners with Hiring Our Heroes, a nationwide initiative established by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to help veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses attain meaningful employment opportunities.

Chartwells is committed to minimizing their own carbon footprint through using responsible purchases of food, buying local and organic when feasible, encouraging energy conservation with responsible equipment-use practices, and focusing on eliminating food waste. Chartwells will also be donating annual grants to the College toward sustainability projects on campus.

Chartwells will procure nearly a third of its produce and proteins from local vendors, with a focus on New York State.

Balanced, nutritious vegan and vegetarian meals are available every day, at every meal. Additionally, Chartwells will be providing a staff dietitian to regularly assist students with choosing functional foods that provide health benefits; the dietician will also be available for student counseling sessions.