[Stacy Ploskonka]

Hello!

UMass Dartmouth has this policy in place for our catering services on campus. Our dining services are contracted through Chartwells, including catering. We’re having to adjust our timeline for requesting a waiver due to town regulations. Usually catering would ask for 2 weeks in advance, but with the town being involved it’s now a month-long process. I would check with whoever oversees risk management/liability for your campus for any liability insurance minimums. I’ve uploaded our waiver which lists out what we require from the outside caterer for liability insurance, and now with the town involved the Board of Health completes a history check of past inspections, etc.?

Catering has done a separate pricing structure for student organizations with a lower cost, you can see it broken out on their website (UMass Dartmouth Catering – North Dartmouth, MA (catertrax.com)) and we encourage groups to meet with catering services 1-2 months out if they are looking for specific menu items (we have over 13 multicultural/affinity groups on campus who like to host events with culturally themed food).?

If/when a waiver is approved, our catering services provides no additional services for that event. The student organizations are then responsible for providing plates/silverware, serving utensils, any anything else the catering service does not provide (we’ve had groups purchase the chafing dishes and sterno cans for events).??

I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any other questions!

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Stacy Ploskonka
Assistant Direct, Student Activities
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth MA
(508) 999-8127
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-09-2024 10:29
From: Jaletta Reames
Subject: Request for Information on Catering Policies

Hello Higher Education Professional,

Our institution maintains an internal catering department, known as Rutgers Catering, alongside a selection of Rutgers-approved and specialty caterers available for student organizations and departmental use.

 

We are considering implementing a first right of refusal policy for internal catering requests, a practice I understand is in place at some institutions. Before proceeding with discussions, I am gathering information on how similar policies are managed elsewhere.

 

Could you assist me with insights on the following:

 

1. Does your institution have a first right of refusal policy for internal catering? If so, who is your primary in-house caterer, and are they self-operated or contracted externally?

2. What is the standard process and timeline for submitting catering requests under this policy? Additionally, if available, could you direct me to any relevant forms or web pages?

3. Is there a distinct pricing structure for student organizations?

4. How are specialty catering requests, such as dietary accommodations or themed events, handled?

 

Any information or direction you could provide would be greatly appreciated as we assess the feasibility of this policy at our institution.

 

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Best, 

Jaletta

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Jaletta Reames
Assistant Director, Meetings & Events Office, Rutgers Univer
Rutgers University
New Brunswick NJ
jaletta.reames@rutgers.edu
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