Event Planning: Food, Beverage, and Alcohol Service

Learn how to get approval for student organization events that include food, beverages, and alcohol.

If you are planning to serve food at your event, download and complete a Temporary Food Service Permit Application from Temporary Food Facilities Requirements before entering your info in TAP.

• Alcohol on campus

  If your group is planning to serve alcohol or malt beverages at a group function, read the online policy and guidelines, then complete the Use of Alcoholic and/or Malt Beverages form. Bring the completed form to your student organizations Advisor.

• Barbecues/ grills on Library Walk

  If you need to rent a grill, you can reserve them through Price Center Reservations. The cost is $30 per day and is due prior to the event. If you need a grill for another part of campus, you can rent them from Facilities Management. See the rate information and enter it in TAP.

• Classroom meetings

  Food is not allowed in classrooms (Center Hall, Peterson, H&SS, etc.) without special approval from the Registrar’s Office.

• Food in the Price Center

  • Catering in the Price Center is offered exclusively by UCSD Catering, (858) 534-3688. If your event is in the Price Center, all food must be ordered through Catering, which extends a 15% discount to all registered student organizations. If you would like to bring your own food, you must get written approval from catering.
  • Student Organizations may hold potlucks in Price Center conference and meeting rooms.
    
    Note: Potlucks are not allowed in Ballroom A & B or the Theater. Potlucks should consist of prepared ready-to-eat food and not food requiring the use of food preparation and catering equipment, such as a blender, microwave, or warmers.
  • You must properly dispose of all garbage and leave the facility in its original condition. If cleaning is required above and beyond normally scheduled cleaning, the sponsoring organization will be required to pay cleaning fees.

• Food in the original Student Center

  Catering exclusivity does not apply to the original Student Center. If you are interested in using the Student Center Stage Room for a potluck or wish to contract with a caterer other than UCSD Catering, contact University Centers Reservations, (858) 534-7666.

• Food in the Student Services Center

  No food is allowed in the Student Services Center space.

• Food vendor/ caterer (off campus)

  If your student organization chooses to bring an off-campus food vendor or caterer onto campus for an event or meeting, you need to enter the event through TAP even if it would not otherwise be required.
  
  If you are serving food by an off-campus vendor, you must give your student org advisor a copy of the caterer's Certificate of Liability in the amount of $1 million or more if determined. You must bring a second copy of the certificate of Liability naming the UC Regents as additionally insured.