UPDATE: The UNO Food and Beverage Policy has been submitted for a 30-day campus review period beginning May 2, 2025. This policy will formally document and standardize the food and beverage practices that are already in effect across the UNO campus.
General UNO Food Policies
All food served on campus must be furnished by UNO Dining Services and Catering due to health safety concerns. Exception(s) to this policy must have the approval of the Director of Auxiliary Services - Milo Bail Student Center, or their designee.
Catering orders should be placed as soon as your event space has been reserved and more than 10 days before your event, with the option to update your final numbers 5 days in advance.
To place a catering order please go to the online platform, unomaha.catertrax.com to view menus, set up an account and order on-line.
If an order needs to be placed within 10 days of an event, reach out directly to Catering via email or phone to check availability and options. There is no guarantee that Catering will be able to provide food and beverage service in these situations. If Catering cannot provide services due to notice requirements, the event may have to occur without food and beverage.
This policy relates to the entire campus with the exceptions of the following UNO locations due to other contractual agreements or other exemptions:
- Scott Conference Center
- Scott Residence Hall
- Scott Village
- Scott Court
- Scott Crossing
- Scott Cafe Express
- Maverick Landing
- Baxter Arena
- Maverick Park
- Thompson Alumni Center
- University Village
- Maverick Village
- Stedman's Cafe
- Maverick Food Pantry
The following locations on the Scott Campus have retail dining cafes managed by other on-campus partners, and therefore, UNO Dining Services shares catering services rights with other on-campus partners for these locations:
- Mammel Hall
- Peter Kiewit Institute
Bringing in snacks, food, and/or beverages, from any outside source, for gatherings, events, and meetings (including potlucks) is prohibited. It is not the intent of such a policy to prohibit anyone from “brown bagging” for personal consumption. This policy prohibits the sale or giveaway of food items (with the exception of approved Bake Sales) on campus.
Approval to use off-campus food providers will not be permitted unless the on-campus caterers are at capacity for services.
Serving Alcoholic Beverages Policy
Scope
Campuswide, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Policy Statement
The service and consumption of alcoholic beverages on the UNO campus are permitted only in accordance with the University of Nebraska Board of Regents Policy RP-2.1.5 and the Nebraska Liquor Control Act, and must follow the procedures outlined in this policy.
Reason for Policy
This policy establishes consistent procedures for the responsible service of alcohol at campus events. It ensures compliance with applicable state laws and University of Nebraska Board of Regents policies, mitigates legal and reputational risk, promotes the safety and well-being of event attendees, and upholds standards for professional conduct in a public university setting.
Procedures
All alcohol service must be pre-approved by the Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance or their designee. Approval requires the completion of both of the following steps at least three weeks before the event date with no exceptions.
If alcohol service is planned for an event, there are two mandatory steps that must be completed to receive approval for alcohol service on campus. These two steps may be completed concurrently1 however, both must be finalized more than three (3) weeks before the event date. There are no exceptions to this deadline.
Step 1: Coordinate with the Approved On-Campus Catering provider.
All alcohol service must be managed by the appropriate on-campus licensed provider in compliance with university policies and state regulations. The designated catering provider is responsible for obtaining a one-day liquor license from the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission. Under state law, the liquor license application must be submitted to the Commission at least three weeks prior to the event. This is a firm, state-mandated deadline and cannot be waived.
Step 2: Submit the University Alcohol Service Request Form.
In addition to coordinating with the on-campus catering provider, the event organizer must complete and submit the University’s Alcohol Service Request Form. This form provides critical event details, identifies responsible parties, and outlines compliance measures. It must also be submitted no later than three weeks before the event to allow sufficient time for university review and approval.
Please note: Approval of alcohol service is not automatic. All requests are subject to review by the appropriate University officials, and failure to complete both steps by the required deadline will result in the denial of alcohol service at the event.
Additional guidance for events with alcohol service:
- Allowable hours of service are from 5:00 p.m. to midnight from Sunday to Friday, and 3 P.M. to midnight on Saturdays. No beverages will be dispensed after 11:30 P.M. and no consumption allowed after midnight.
- Alcoholic beverages may only be served in association with a food service (a food service is defined as either a meal or hors d’oeuvres). A minimum food service must accompany alcoholic beverage service.
- Alcoholic beverages will be available only at events for which there are invited guests.
- All alcoholic beverages will be purchased and served by the University's contracted vendor partner, UNO Dining Services provided by Sodexo or authorized designee. Determination of the services provided will be decided by the sponsoring group and the General Manager of Dining Services or designee. All details, such as type of beverage served, hours of service, etcetera must be finalized with UNO Dining Services more than 21 days in advance and will not be changed after the deadline. Events held in buildings other than the Milo Bail Student Center require a special designated license which will require more than 21 days notice to obtain proper alcohol service license from the State of Nebraska.
- It is the responsibility of the sponsoring group to comply with these procedures, which are based on Regent policy, including the determination of legal age of anyone requesting liquor service. Alcoholic beverages may not be served to anyone under 21 years of age.
- The General Manager of UNO Dining Services may assign people to check identification.
- Exceptions to the above procedures must be approved by the Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance or their designee.
- University cost centers can not be used as payment for alcohol services.
This process does not apply to events held at the Thompson Alumni Center, Scott Conference Center, or Baxter Arena. Please contact these facilities directly to follow their specific policies and procedures.
Forms
Application for Serving Alcohol
Related Information
University of Nebraska’s Board of Regents Policy, RP-2.1.5, Standards of Conduct for Employees and Students Regarding Alcohol and Drugs
History
The University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Alcohol Policy is currently in place.
- Bake sales which include homemade food will not be allowed. RSOs wanting to have a bake sale will need to purchase commercially produced baked goods.
- All Baked goods will need to be individually pre-packaged via commercial methods or by the approved food vendor.
- Individuals from the RSO will not be allowed to prepare and package the food/beverages themselves.
- Food that is not time/temperature control for food safety such as:
- Baked goods –rolls, breads, cookies, brownies, cupcakes, pies (non-dairy base filling), homemade granola product, etc.
- Dairy based baked goods containing custard, creams, meringues or cheesecakes are not allowed.
- Canned soda/pop must be Coca Cola products and/or brands distributed by the Coca Cola bottling company. This includes bottled water.
- Commercially packaged snack items, such as candy bars and chips
- The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act requires that food labels must clearly identify the food source names of any ingredients that are one of the major food allergens or contain any protein derived from a major food allergen. The eight foods identified by law are: milk, eggs, fish (e.g., bass, flounder, cod), crustacean shellfish (e.g., crab, lobster, shrimp), tree nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, pecans), peanuts, wheat and soybeans. These items should be clearly marked on products. It is particularly important to review ingredients when using boxed mixes where trace ingredients may be hidden.
- An approval for the event needs to be given by the Office of Student Leadership, Involvement, and Inclusion.
- It is recommended that certain organizational representative(s) who are present throughout the bake sale be designated to only handle the food items taking the necessary precautions to sanitize beforehand.
- Groups conducting bake sales must agree to hold UNO harmless in the event of any legal action resulting from the bake sale.
If a University RSO or its individual members do not follow the regulations and guidelines listed in this policy, their event can be immediately cancelled or shut down. In addition, all Fundraisers will not be allowed and will be cancelled if they conflict with any contractual agreements of the university.
Complete this application to receive approval for a bake sale: Bake Sale/Fundraiser Online Application for Exception (Registered Student Organizations only)