The Student Center has exciting new options for you when it comes to catering your event! You may now choose the food option that best meets your needs by selecting a vendor from our Student Center Preferred Caterers List. Flexibility in catering, coordinating assistance from our knowledgeable staff, and our 28 multi-function rooms make the Student Center an ideal venue for your gathering.
Registered Student Organizations, University departments, and outside groups may now bring prepackaged food items into private meeting spaces. For further information on our updated policies review the documents below or call the Student Center Scheduling office at 618/536-6633 so we may answer any questions you may have. You may want to also review SIU's Alcohol Policy.
Preferred Caterers
Small Food Policy
Alcohol Policy
Food Guidelines & Rates
The approved list of vendors is subject to change. Please contact the Assistant Director of Dining and Catering, Kelley Wilkins at 618/453-1136 if you have further questions about catering.
Registered Student Organizations (RSOs), University Departments, and outside groups may bring prepackaged food into the Student Center for consumption in private meeting spaces only for events/meetings not exceeding 75 people, unless otherwise approved by Student Center staff.
Prepackaged food includes food in manufacturer sealed, airtight containers or wrappers. This may include potato chips, cookies, candy, or beverages as well as fruit and veggie trays.
Per Southern Illinois University’s agreement with Pepsi MidAmerica, all beverages must be Pepsi products, including bottled water (Aquafina or Crisp ’n Clear). NO HOMEMADE ITEMS ARE ALLOWED. Reference this site for a list of all Pepsi beverage products.
Food items which require refrigeration or heating to ensure food quality must be ordered through a Student Center vendor (i.e. Steak and Shake, Marketplace, Starbucks, Subway) or through one of the Student Center’s preferred caterers.
The group must provide their own ice and utensils when bringing in food/beverages.
Food items are not allowed to be handed out in common areas or hallways without prior approval.
When an RSO, University Department, or outside group reserves space with Conference and Scheduling Services, they must indicate on the reservation form if they plan to provide food. If individuals or groups decide to bring in food after they initially reserve space, they must notify Conference and Scheduling Services at least 2 business days in advance.
Prepackaged food wrappers or empty containers must be disposed of by the reserving group. Per the Scheduling Guidelines Policy, groups may be charged a $30 minimum housekeeping fee if Student Center space is left unclean after use.
Types of Food Allowed (examples)
Yes
Cake and Cookies (prepackaged)
Chips (prepackaged)
Fruit Trays (sealed)
Veggie Trays (sealed)
Salsa/Dip (prepackaged and no refrigeration required)
Candy (packaged)
Bagels/Cupcakes/Muffins (prepackaged)
No
Meat/Cheese Trays
Salsa/Dip (homemade and require refrigeration)
Note: If you are getting food delivered or picking up from a caterer, this must be coordinated with the Student Center and does not fall within the Small Food Policy.
Patrons must use a alcohol provider from the SIU list of approved caterers who hold a current liquor license for alcoholic beverage service at the Student Center and must complete the Request for use of Alcoholic Beverages form.
All state and local laws are in effect and will be enforced for service of alcoholic beverages at the Student Center.
Liquor licensees are required to provide a certificate of dram shop liability insurance listing Southern Illinois University as additionally insured for the specific event including date and time or an annual blanket. This must be received no later than 10 business days before scheduled event to avoid cancellation of the reservation.
The service of alcoholic beverages is not allowed before 8:00 a.m., Monday through Saturday, before 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, or after 1:00 a.m., Monday through Sunday.
Alcoholic beverages may only be served and must remain in room(s) rented - NO ALCOHOL OUT-SIDE OF BUILDING. Lessee and alcohol provider shall be jointly responsible for enforcement.
All beverage sales (non-alcoholic and alcoholic) will be subject to the catering surcharge. As provided in the Student Center Caterer’s Agreement.
In the case where the Student Center deems it necessary, lessee will be required to pay for an off-duty SIU Department of Public Safety officer to monitor event.
Alcohol can only be served at events where food of substance is provided.
Open Bar/Cash Bar Procedures: • patrons cannot serve themselves, only employees of the alcohol provider may serve alcoholic beverages •no more than 2 drinks per person at a time • no selling, delivering, or offering drinks by the pitcher.
The Student Center reserves the right to terminate the serving of alcohol at any time during the event.
All procedures for service of alcoholic beverages will be strictly enforced by the Student Center. Failure to follow procedures will result in removal from the approved alcohol provider list and may result in submission of violations to the City of Carbondale’s Liquor Control Commission.
The Student Center requires that University Departments, Registered Student Organizations (RSO’s) and the general public utilize the Student Center Preferred Caterer’s List for all catered events. This list and business contact information can be found on the Student Center Catering website.
University departments, RSOs and the general public are responsible for letting Conference and Scheduling Services know their caterer of choice at least 12 business days in advance. The Student Center will act as a liaison between the customer and caterer, coordinating all event logistics in regards to food including but not limited to, arrival time, kitchen use, linen and equipment needs.
For groups wanting to utilize a caterer not listed on the Student Center’s Preferred Caterer’s List, there will be $50 fee assessed for events under 100 people and a $100 fee assessed for events with 100+ attendance. However, this caterer MUST be listed on the SIU Approved Caterer list. Please note that the Student Center’s Preferred List is not the same as the SIU Approved list. While all caterer’s must be on the SIU Approved Caterer list, caterers can choose to sign an additional agreement with the Student Center.
The Student Center must know about all deliveries and pick-ups from Student Center Preferred Caterer’s at least 2 business days in advance. Customers are liable and responsible for any food drop-offs and deliveries.
Pizza or Insomnia Cookies may be picked-up or delivered to the Student Center. Groups may order from pizza businesses on the SIU Approved Caterer list (Little Caesar’s, Papa John’s, Primo’s Pizza, Pagliais, Quatro’s). However, orders from these businesses must be for pizza and beverages ONLY. Cookies and milk are allowed to be ordered from Insomnia Cookies.
University departments, RSO’s and the general public may bring prepackaged food for consumption in private meeting spaces only. Please reference the Student Center’s Small Food Policy for further guidelines.
For deliveries, pick-ups and events which fall under the Small Food Policy, groups are responsible for bringing their own ice.
For events with food that has been delivered, picked-up or which falls under the Small Food Policy, the customer is responsible for cleaning-up all food and food-related items. This includes events where a caterer is dropping-off food and not remaining on-site. A $30 minimum housekeeping fee may be charged if Student Center space is left unclean after use.
All groups in violation of any food policies will be given a email warning for the first and second offenses. A third violation will result in suspension of a groups food privileges for up to one semester.
