As an integral part of the division of Business Affairs, we are a university-owned and operated community center. We provide all academic and extracurricular needs for every Wildcat. Purchases made at any Campus Store location support the University of Arizona and Tucson communities through scholarships, funding for student clubs and organizations, learning and literacy programs, student employment, athletics, alumni, and other university programs and initiatives.
MISSION
The Campus Store supports the University of Arizona’s academic mission by offering a diverse array of products and services at competitive prices. Operating independently without state support, student tuition, or campus subsidies, it is a self-funded service committed to excellence. We strive to equip students, faculty, staff, and the Wildcat community with the essential resources needed for academic and personal success.
VISION
Our vision extends beyond mere transactions. We aim to be a central hub for academic and personal development, empowering students to reach their full potential. The Campus Store aspires to create a welcoming environment where the campus community can gather, learn, and grow together.
VALUES
The Campus Store champions inclusion and academic excellence. Our dedicated staff mentors students, aiding them in developing practical skills through employment, class projects, internships, and scholarships. We are committed to being supportive, innovative, and collaborative, offering knowledge, resources, and funding to benefit students, customers, and the broader campus community.
When the University of Arizona held its first classes in Old Main, any idea of a "bookstore" was simply part of the original university administration. In 1928, the first unnamed and unofficial bookstore opened in the basement of Old Main, selling textbooks rather than issuing them to students. After the Great Depression, this basement bookstore was sold to the Associated Students of the University of Arizona.
With the arrival of thousands of World War II veterans attending UArizona on the G.I. Bill, things began to turn around for the entire campus and the BookStores as well. In January 1954, the store moved into a new 8,000 sq. ft. space to accommodate the sharp increase in student population. New locations opened up in the 1970's, and a major expansion in 1981 gave the main BookStore a space nearly three times larger.
In 1989 Frank Farias became Executive Director of the UA BookStores, instilling a strong sense of community among BookStores employees that redefined the bookstore model. He wanted the place to"do more than just exchange products for money," and that's what it became.
In February 2003, the BookStores unveiled its new flagship store in the Student Union Memorial Center. At 63,000 square feet, this store provides students, faculty, and the Tucson community with a premier university shopping experience. The versatile space also serves as an event center, a meeting place, an art gallery, and a tribute to the University of Arizona students from all over the world.
