1.08—University Food Policy

Effective: 09/01/2005
Last updated: 06/25/2024
Senate Proposal: No
Responsible University Officer: Manager of Risk and Compliance
Responsible Office: Office of Risk, Insurance, Safety, Security, and Compliance (RISSC)

Policy Statement

In the interest of food sanitation, health, and safety, as well as to promote food quality and efficient and cost-effective catering and vending services, the following procedures and guidelines are established for food service on the Michigan Technological University campus and for University events occurring off campus. Only food prepared by Dining Services is permitted to be distributed or sold at on campus events except as permitted in this policy. Any food provided at on or off-campus events must be obtained from food-service providers licensed for those services at the location where they are provided. 

Policy Requirements

• University events that are not catered by Dining Services must conform to the health and sanitation requirements as specified by the Western Upper Peninsula District Health Department or applicable local food safety regulatory authority. Food must be provided by vendors possessing the required insurance and license(s) for food preparation, sale, and service, as applicable.  A list of vendors for whom current information has been provided to the University is available on the Risk Management website.  Vendors who wish to be included on the list may email their license and insurance information to risk@mtu.edu.
• For all on-campus events not catered by Dining Services, the host is responsible for making any needed room reservations and fully performing or coordinating set up and clean up, including disposal of food items and supervising access for any off-site vendors.  Off-site vendors will not be provided access to Michigan Tech kitchen facilities.  Hosts that do not fully clean up their reserved space may be assessed a cleaning fee.  
• Food not prepared by Dining Services must be served promptly or stored in accordance with the Michigan Food Code or other applicable local regulations. 
• Exceptions to this policy may be requested by emailing risk@mtu.edu at least 14 days prior to the event.  Exceptions may not be approved and hosts should allow themselves adequate time to make arrangements for their event if the exception is declined.  

Reason for Policy

The Center for Disease Control estimates that seventy-six million illnesses and five thousand deaths occur each year from food-borne illnesses. Over the past several years the issue of food-borne illnesses has gained heightened awareness nationally and has become one of the top five concerns in the insurance industry. This food policy is intended to strengthen the practice of safe handling, preparation, and distribution of food at University events as well as recognize the interests of the University community in food quality and efficient and cost-effective food services.

Exclusions

The following are exceptions to the policy and/or its requirements which do not need prior approval:

1. Off-campus locations that provide licensed food service operations.
2. Food and beverages purchased and/or prepared by individuals for personal consumption.
3. Specific food items that are exempted by the Michigan Food Law of 2012.
4. On-campus university events for 25 people or fewer that are not open to the public.
5. Potlucks that are not open to the public. No potlucks are permitted at ticketed events or events open to the public.  Anyone consuming food at a potluck fully assumes all risks associated with such food consumption.  
6. Bake sales organized by Registered Student Organizations in compliance with the standards set forth by Student Leadership and Involvement.  
7. Fundraising sales by Registered Student Organizations of packaged food prepared by licensed service providers for personal consumption, such as candy bars.  Except as described in exclusion 6, this does not include service of food fully or partially prepared on the day of sale, such as hot pizza slices or other fresh food offered for sale by Dining Services. 
8. This policy does not address alcohol.  All alcohol service must be in compliance with Board of Trustee Policy 12.4, University Policy 7.01, and all other applicable laws, regulations, and university policies and procedures.

Contacts

Definitions

Host - Individual or group coordinating the event.

Events open to the public - Events open to the general university community or public or advertised to the general university community or public.  

On campus events - Events occurring on property owned or managed by Michigan Tech.

University events - An on or off-campus event that is organized by or on behalf of the University, such as a departmental retreat.  Events organized by Registered Student Organizations are generally not University events.  University traditions and campus initiatives that receive funding through the Vice President for Student Affairs are University events, regardless of participation of Registered Student Organizations.  

Adoption Date

Revisions