Please note: Food on campus goes through a formal approval process through our Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Department and can take up to 3 weeks for review.

Conferences serving food

UW Tacoma offers catering services for every need from coffee service to snacks to black-tie multi-course dinners.

Option 1: Preferred caterer (UW Tacoma makes the arrangements)

  • Use a UW Tacoma Familiar Caterer and have UW Tacoma handle your arrangements.
  • Our Familiar Caterers work with us on per diem rates and almost any budget. Please let us know if you have special requests or requirements. If your catering request is more than $10,000 we are required to get a minimum of three catering bids. We will share the menus and pricing options with you and find the best fit for your event. 
  • $400 service and administration fee depending on space rented.

Option 2: Familiar caterer (You make the arrangements)

  • Use a UW Tacoma Familiar Caterer and make your own arrangements.
  • $200 service fee depending on space rented 

Option 3: Non-Familiar caterer

  • Caterer must be licensed and insured.
  • Caterer will be required to complete one-time-use approval paperwork
  • $400 service and administration fee depending on space rented

Option 4: Pre-packaged food

  • Bring in commercially prepared, pre-packaged, ready-to-eat food items. Examples: commercially prepared pizza, chips, soda or granola bars. 
  • Standard cleaning fee of $100 added to the final invoice. 

No homemade food items or items that require on-site preparation are permitted for conferences. This includes (but not limited to): Skillets, coffee pots, kettles, and hot plates.

Internal groups: Work with our EH&S Department to ensure the food you would like served is approved and that you apply for AND receive a Temporary Food Service Permit.

If you have questions about serving food at your next event please contact Conference Services at ecsuwt@uw.edu.

Serving alcohol on campus

Hosted Bar

  1. Apply online for a banquet permit. Cost is $10/day per event.
  2. Work with Conference Services to get approval to serve alcohol on campus.  
  3. Ensure you have a licensed caterer or approved pourer for your event.
  4. Post your banquet permit and approved alcohol forms in a visible location on the day of your event.

No-Host Bars

Option 1: Special Occasion License

(This option can only be used by non-profit organizations.)

  • Apply online for a Special Occasion License. Cost is $60. Special Occasion License application must be submitted a minimum of 45 days prior to your event date.
  • Work with Conference Services to get approval to serve alcohol on campus.  
  • Proceeds from alcohol sales must go to the non-profit organization.
  • Licensed caterer is required for alcohol service.

Option 2: Cash Bar

  • Work with Conference Services to get approval to serve alcohol on campus. (Internal units: Follow this page for getting alcohol approved for your event.)
  • Licensed alcohol provider is required for alcohol service

Important notes

  • At any event where alcohol will be served, food and non-alcoholic beverages must also be provided.
  • A campus security officer must be present at any event where alcohol is served. There will be additional charges for this security coverage: $65/hr (minimum 3 hours).
  • Please confirm with your caterer that they are approved to serve alcohol.