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Campus and Auxiliary Services
Teachers College, Columbia University
Teachers College Columbia University
Departmental Policies > Catering Policy

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Departmental Policies

Catering Policy

The College Catering Policy states that CulinArt is the exclusive caterer on campus and as such they maintain the first right of refusal to provide service in all campus buildings for all catering that occurs during regular operating hours of the food service area (typically Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.).  In any leased property (i.e. Theresa Tower, Interchurch) outside caterers may provide service provided all necessary purchasing policies are followed.  A catering order is considered any order for food/beverages for eight or more people. There are a few exceptions to this policy and questions should be referred to the Assistant Vice President For Campus and Auxiliary Services. 

For small or incidental food purchases that are allowable under the College’s Travel & Expense and Petty Cash policies, departments do not need to order from CulinArt.  However, these types of food purchases are paid for by a College employee and then the employee is reimbursed via existing petty cash expense reimbursement procedures at the Cashier’s Window at 133 Thompson.  Examples of this may include providing snacks (which you go to the grocery store and buy) for a lunchtime meeting (chips and salsa for three to five people, dozen donuts for three to five people for a breakfast meeting, etc) but only up to the individual petty cash reimbursement amount which is $100.00 and only for a group of people less than eight.  Departments may not piece together multiple petty cash reimbursements to circumvent the catering policy.   

Therefore,  all food orders/food purchases that are for eight or more people and involves prepared food being brought onto campus by any outside agency is not allowed under the Campus Catering Policy.  Additionally, College employees may not purchase prepared food and bring that food onto campus and expect to be reimbursed for said food unless it fall into the category of small or incidental food purchases mentioned above.