Syracuse University Catering Services has developed the following policies to help ensure your event is successful and memorable.
Planning Your Event: Booking, Contract, and Guarantee
Before you begin planning, review Syracuse University policies related to catering:
Alcohol Policy
Please review Syracuse University’s policy on alcohol. Thirty business days’ notice is required for all events at which alcohol will be served.
Syracuse University Catering Services has primary responsibility for selling and serving alcohol at events. The New York State Liquor Authority (NYSLA) requires a caterer’s (temporary alcohol) permit for all non-licensed facilities for every event on campus where alcohol is being served. Without this permit, alcohol cannot be served. The licensed facilities on campus are the Schine Student Center, the Inn Complete, and the JMA Dome.
A bar service fee is assessed to cover the cost of the NYSLA caterer’s permit, bartender, and setup.
- Full Bar – $115.00
- Beer and Wine – $95.00
Alcohol may be served for no more than four hours per event. Service must be discontinued one hour prior to the end of the event.
Student organizations requesting that alcohol be served at their event must provide a letter from the organization’s advisor confirming that seventy-five percent or more of the attendees are 21 years of age or older. Catering Services requires proof of age from any persons appearing under the age of 35.
Billing
A chartstring or Interdepartmental Order (I.D.) is required in advance of your event.
Cancellations
An event may be canceled with no charge up to five business days prior to the event. Cancellations made with less than five business days’ notice may be subject to charges based on costs incurred. An event canceled due to “unforeseeable circumstances” (weather, pandemic, protesting, security issues, etc.) will be considered force majeure and will be allowed to rebook at a later date.
Catering Exceptions/Use of Off-Campus Caterers/Food Trucks
All food and beverage service on campus must be provided by Syracuse University Catering Services in compliance with Syracuse University policy.
Any group wishing to qualify for an exception must meet with Syracuse University Catering no less than four weeks prior to the date of the event or an exception will not be considered. Exceptions will not be considered for events hosted at the Inn Complete. Syracuse University Catering may grant exceptions for:
- Religious events as recognized by the Office of the Dean of Hendricks Chapel;
- Events where food is unique to the sponsor’s ethnicity and cannot be prepared by the Catering department;
- Events for 10 guests or fewer.
A University department or student group granted an exception to use an outside food caterer must comply with the University’s Food Sanitation Procedures and Guidelines outlining the Onondaga County Health Department’s requirements for caterers including, but not limited to, food sanitation procedures, catering license, and menu. Where an outside caterer will provide services at an event on University property, the host department or group must notify the Division of Campus Safety and Emergency Services four weeks prior to the event. Safety Department personnel will inspect the food for compliance purposes prior to serving.
Additional costs will be incurred for pick-up and delivery of the food, the rental of hot boxes, chafers, serviceware, and staffing.
Composting and Sustainability
Catering Services makes every effort to use sustainable practices whenever possible. When in season, locally-grown fruits and vegetables are used in food preparation. Local bakeries provide a variety of sweets and breads. Compostable or recyclable paper products are used for deliveries. Food scraps are composted both pre- and post-consumer, and leftover foods that meet the Onondaga County Health Department criteria are donated to local food banks.
Delivery
Catering Services will assess a $25.00 delivery fee for deliveries occurring between 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. A delivery fee of $50.00 will be assessed for deliveries after hours and on weekends. Additional delivery fees may be incurred for off-campus events requiring extended travel.
Please allow for a 30-minute delivery window during rush hours and campus-wide events
Event Space Access and Arrangements
Please review Syracuse University’s policy for events on University property.
It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure the main doors and loading dock are unlocked to allow timely access to the event space. Please ensure that building and room access is granted 30 minutes prior to delivery, and two hours prior for staffed events and setups. For any deliveries to outdoor or public areas, please ensure that the client or a department representative be present to receive the delivery and provide supervision prior to and during the event.
The removal or arrangement of furniture in an event space should be coordinated by the customer with Facilities Services or Materials Distribution. Custodial arrangements should also be coordinated by the customer with Facilities Services. If your event is a driver set-up or a delivery event, Campus Catering will not be back to clean-up. It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that all trash and disposable serviceware are removed from the event space.
Campus Catering is only responsible for clean-up for staffed events.
Event Staffing
Service staff needs for your event will be determined by Catering Services based on the menu, service style, group size, and venue. The service staff rate is $30.00 per hour for a minimum of four hours.
Liability and Safety
In accordance with New York State and Onondaga County Health Departments, all leftover food remains property of Syracuse University Campus Dining and may not be removed from an event. Food in disposable containers must be discarded at the time stated on the catering box.
Serviceware
Catering Services offers three types of serviceware:
- China: White china, silverware, staff required – $7.00 per person
- Basic table linens:
- 85″ or Banquet Single Tablecloth: $2.95
- Rectangular Draped Table to the Floor: $14.95 per table
- 120″ Round or 132″ Round: $14.95 each
- Overlay: $2.95
- Specialty linen is available for an additional charge upon request.
Table, Chair, and Tent Rental
Catering Services does not provide table, chair, or tent rentals for events. If you need these items, contact Century Decorations at 315.452.1240.
Information Needed for Ordering
- Contact person and phone number
- Event time and set-up time
- Pick up time
- Event location
- Number of tables, chairs, tent, pipe, drape, or other needed
- Diagram of space and set-up
- Email or fax confirmation
- Payment information
Important Delivery Information
- Coordinate with Campus Catering for delivery time and date.
- When scheduling a delivery, confirm the event location for set up as far in advance as possible, at least the day before is preferred.
- Persons booking the order are responsible to confirm the table, chairs, and tent setup is done correctly and according to the diagram.