As part of a broader centralization plan, UK is entering into a public-private partnership with Compass. The school is touting the benefits, saying meal prices will drop by 5%, options will increase, and sports fans will see an average 38% reduction on eight core concession items at all on-campus venues, starting with Kroger Field and Memorial Coliseum.
UK will also launch a group purchasing organization to use "large-scale buying power to support schools, businesses and communities."
But the partnership has also sparked protests and skepticism from UK workers and Gov. Andy Beshear.
While the school has promised that all UK employees will remain UK employees with the same pay and benefits, workers have raised questions about what will be offered to new employees.
Meanwhile, the Lexington Herald-Leader reports Beshear has met with members of United Campus Workers and called for greater transparency in how employees will be treated.
Compass Group will take on management of dining, maintenance, custodial work, along with in-patient transport and sitters in healthcare.