Policy

Advance Planning
Planning is the key to any successful event. Begin your plans early. The more notice given prior to your event, the greater the selection of available rooms and space for your function. Contact Reservations and Events Planning Services at 229-4828 to make your room reservations. Contact UWM Catering Services at 229-3733 as soon as you have confirmation of your location. You may set up an appointment to plan your menu or place your order over the phone. We ask that a 3-week lead-time be given to us when placing your order. We may be able to accommodate a shorter lead-time; however, the product and catering staff that you are requesting may not be available.

Confirmation
Unless billing and customer information is already in our database, university departments and organizations will receive a ‘Payment Authorization Form’ that will require completion with appropriate department or organization signatures. This payment authorization gives us permission to bill against the account that has been established for your event. The Payment Authorization should be returned prior to making your catering arrangements. You will receive an e-mailed confirmation of your order as soon as all arrangements have been made. Please review your catering order carefully to assure the locations, times, menu details and pricing are accurate. Non-university organizations will be required to prepay for their event and will be assessed 50% of the total estimated charges at the time the order is placed. The balance is due five business days prior to your event. The balance due is determined by the final guarantee.

Attendance Guarantee
We ask that you submit an estimated attendance number at the time you place your order. If this number changes during the planning stages, please give us a call so we may adjust our orders and staffing. Your final guarantee is due three business days prior to your event. We do not over prepare to accommodate walk-ins or non-registrants. If you have more guests than were guaranteed, we will do our best to provide accommodations for your guests. You will be charged for your guarantee or the actual number of guests served; which ever is greater.

Sales Tax
All services are subject to county and state sales tax unless a copy of your Wisconsin State Tax Exempt Certification is presented prior to your event. University departments and organizations will not be subject to these taxes when payment is made through an approved requisition or foundation account. Please note that if you are a University group and are paying via personal check, sales tax will be assessed.

Delivery Fee
A delivery fee will be assessed for each catering order delivered to a location outside of the Union building.
 
Changes/Cancellations
If cancellation of your event is necessary, notice is required at least three business days prior to your event (five business days for non-university organizations) to avoid charges for incurred expenses. Incurred expenses may include products purchased and staff scheduled. Cancellations should be made to the attention of the Catering Manager at 229-3733. Changes made to your catering order, either additions or subtractions, must be made by 12:00 pm on the Guarantee Date (three business days prior to event). Any changes made after that time will result in additional charges for incurred expenses.

Entrée Selection
A single entrée selection is strongly recommended for all meal functions. If a second selection is necessary, the exact number of each entrée must be guaranteed 1 week prior to your event. The higher of the entrée prices will be charged for both entrées. A vegetarian option will always be available. Please ask your catering coordinator for the vegetarian menu.

Policies
Perishable foods can be held out safely for a maximum of 1 1/2 hours. We will allow our buffets to stand for 1 hour to allow your guests to go through the lines. Food handling safety dictates that all food and beverages left over from any function remain the property of Catering Services at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and may not be removed from the location of service. Our catering professionals will care for and distribute leftover foods in the most appropriate manner.

Alcoholic Beverage Services
UWM Restaurant Operations is responsible for the sales and service of all alcoholic beverages. All rules and regulations set forth by the Wisconsin Alcoholic Beverage Commission must be strictly adhered to. The regulations require that UWM Restaurant Operations serve all alcoholic beverages offered on campus property. We reserve the right to restrict the service of alcoholic beverages in compliance with the policies of the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and the State of Wisconsin. See the Guidelines and Procedures Relating to Alcoholic Beverage Service at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.
 
 
For more information and to discuss your upcoming event, please visit
the Catering Office located in the Union, 3rd floor, room 307,
or contact me at 229-3733.

Jacqueline A. Sciuti
UWM Catering Services
jas3@uwm.edu