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A 2-Minute Read Featuring an E&I Contract Partner, Chartwells

Texas State Dining offers a program called First-Year Eats that helps students acclimate to life on campus. The primary goal of First-Year Eats is to enhance student retention. The goal is to offer students  insights into Texas State Dining Services, access to exclusive programs, and  a special relationship with the school that will bring them back next year.

Article Key Points

Texas State focuses on creating connections with first year students and international students

First-Year Eats introduces students to new dining options, mobile ordering, special dining events, and even introduces students to chefs and new flavors

Chartwells is the food and vending partner for Texas State; Chartwells works with 320 higher ed schools

Chartwells provides meal swipe technologies, dining dollars, and even manages on-campus catering

First-Year Eats Program at Texas State

First-Year Eats introduces new students to chefs and dietitians and provides guidance on meal plans and dietary needs. The program teaches students how to find dining spots on campus they not regularly frequent, and how to use mobile ordering. There is even programs for first year and international students where they can meet the chefs, sample free food, discover new flavors and engage with campus dining.

Texas State offers other fun student events that tie to dining, like DJ nights, trivia nights, BBQ events to introduce students to local food options, and offers diverse dining options. Texas State University has seen a big increase in international students from India and Nepal in the last 2 years, which prompted a focus on the international student experience. Texas State Dining hosted a Diwali event, created in partnership with the campus’ international student associates, to celebrate the culture by creating a diverse and authentic menu. The event enhanced the dining experience by bringing joy and cuisine students love to their campus home away from home. 

Texas State isn’t just focused on food, the school is focused on creating a community. First-Year Eats aims to engage first-year students and give them necessary resources. It is creating a sense of community around dining and getting students acclimated in their first year.  

Texas State's Partnership with Chartwells

Texas State University partners with Chartwells for dining services, providing on-campus dining options such as meal plans with meal swipes, dining dollars, and catering services. Chartwells operates various dining locations on campus, including buffet-style halls, food courts with retailers like Starbucks and Chick-Fil-A. 

Chartwells provides the technology for the meal swipe program, dining dollars and meal plans. Chartwells even provides catering services for Texas State. Chartwells is the recognized leader in contract food service management, hospitality and guest service at over 320 colleges and universities in the United States. Chartwells is reinventing the on-campus dining experience by investing in high-tech, food-infused social spaces that bring students and people together to promote meaningful relationships and interactions. The company’s excellence in culinary, nutrition, technology and sustainability bring truly unique dining experiences to every campus.  Read More

You have an E&I contract with Chartwells

Chartwells, part of Compass Group North America, provides foodservice and nutritional programs for higher ed needs. This includes culinary programs, dining management and dining services. 
•  Structured to generate revenue
•  Customizable contract models
•  Dining, cafe, coffee, tea, breakrooms snacks
•  Investment in dining to create social spaces

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Key Trends in Higher Education Procurement

The National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP) surveyed chief procurement officers, chief business officers, and higher education procurement managers or directors about their top focus areas. Budgets are shrinking, and educational institutions are forced to examine cost-cutting measures wherever possible. With budget deficits, enrollment decline, and an end to pandemic relief funds, many schools are cutting programs and services. Procurement teams are under pressure to reduce costs. This E&I article discusses a few key trends, and ways education procurement is evolving in 2024. 

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