Aramark contract wins OK at UCA
CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas’ board unanimously approved a 10-year contract with food-vendor Aramark on Monday. Trustee Scott Roussel voted on the issue despite admonitions that he should recuse.
“I’m trying to figure out why I would recuse myself,” Roussel said after the meeting when asked why he chose to vote.
Roussel was board chairman when he announced during an Aug. 26 meeting that Aramark had agreed to donate $700,000 for additional renovations to the Uca-owned president’s house. Neither he nor Allen Meadors, then UCA’S president, mentioned to the other trustees that the $700,000 was contingent upon a seven-year extension of the Aramark contract.
After the Arkansas Democrat-gazette reported the contract condition, both men acknowledged they had known about it but failed to mention it. Days
later, on Sept. 2, the board bought out Meadors’ contract. The board also declined the $700,000 offer.
The Arkansas State Police soon began investigating the issue. That probe is nearing an end, Prosecuting Attorney Cody Hiland said last week.
Both the staff and faculty senates had passed resolutions urging Roussel to recuse from any vote related to Aramark pending the investigation.
Roussel said Monday that he respects those organizations’ right to express their opinions. But he said the Aramark vote was a “very easy one,” and the contract will benefit UCA.
Staff Senate President Dianna K. Winters said Monday that her organization had no comment on Roussel’s action. Faculty Senate President Janet Wilson said she did not know how faculty members would feel about his decision.
Aramark, based in Philadelphia,