The time needed to plan an event varies. Larger events should be planned six or more weeks ahead. Smaller events may only need a couple weeks. All events must be confirmed ten business days prior to the event. Please note any changes in catered food must be received no later than 7 business days prior to the event.
All event details have been communicated to University Events, you have received your detailed reservation form from your event specialist, and you have returned the form to our office complete with signature and cost center. Your event specialist will distribute your form to all necessary event support partners to ensure a successful event execution.
Liquor licenses should be requested six weeks prior to your event.
While Brandeis Dining/Sodexo remains our campus partner for all catered events in reserved spaces on campus, in certain instances it is possible to source the services of an approved External Caterer to support your on campus event.
**Please note events in Hassenfeld. Faculty Club and Usdan event spaces, as well as community wide events, remain exclusive to Brandeis Dining/Sodexo.
A catered event is defined as either full service catering associated with a reservable event space, requiring wait staff. This does not apply to individual offices or departmental conference rooms, or to drop off catering where staff is not required to support.
Sourcing an approved vendor is critically important - it ensures who you select has met insurance thresholds, has appropriate health and Covid-19 safety certification, and can properly support the discerning needs of our community. It establishes trust and familiarity with the campus when not selecting our campus partner. Please note only one external caterer may be sourced per event.
Current Approved External Vendor for Full Service On Campus Events:
Catering By Andrew
Should you decide to secure a caterer other than Catering by Andrew, or sodexo, a minimum of 6 weeks notice will be required for the due diligence work required by both University Events and Procurement. This work includes, but is not limited to establishing:
Requests inside of 6 weeks may not be possible to support, in which case you may choose to hold your event off campus.
Event Stakeholder Responsibility when sourcing and approved catering vendor:
If the caterer needs equipment or plumbing or power it is the event stakeholder's responsibility to communicate those needs in advance to University Events. University Events will continue to coordinate set up needs associated withe the reserved event space.
Please be sure to have approved funding and established payment processes either through a PO ir a PCard.
Brandeis University and Dining Services are committed to adhering to all Massachusetts laws and guidelines for the safe serving of alcohol. Brandeis currently holds liquor licenses for the Hassenfeld Conference Center, the Faculty Club, and Usdan Student Center.
Please note: Only alcohol sourced through Brandeis Dining may be served on Brandeis property.
Custodians are required for any event that requires a room set up or where food will be served. Please speak to an event specialist for more information.
University Events, Operations can provide custom signs for your event at a cost of $25 per sign. For more information about Brandeis University's sign program, please speak to an event specialist.
Yes. The Faculty Club can be an ideal venue for catered events, but minimums do apply. There is a $1,000 food and non-alcoholic beverage minimum in order to use the Main Dining Room, and a $500 food and non-alcoholic beverage minimum to use the Faculty Club Lounge or President’s Dining Room Monday through Friday after 3 p.m. and weekends. Please note that an additional room set up fee will be required for events in the Faculty Club. Events that use the existing set up in the lounge and dining room will not incur a set up fee.
ueo@brandeis.edu
781-736-4300