Event Services
FOOD SERVICES
SF State Hospitality Services by Sodexo is committed to creating a memorable event for you and your guests. The team of catering professionals is available to assist you with planning every aspect of your event. Our goal is to provide you with the freshest selections of food items, beautifully displayed, and served professionally by our talented team.
We are committed to sustainable practices and incorporate seasonally-available, local ingredients to create fresh, healthy and delicious menus. We are committed to sourcing 100% Marine Stewardship Council or Best Aquaculture Practice certified seafood.
SEVEN HILLS & TOWERS CONFERENCE CENTER
Outside food is prohibited in these event spaces. All food service must be provided by the University food service vendor, Sodexo Catering. Food service arrangements with Sodexo will be coordinated through the Conference & Event Services team.
ALL OTHER EVENT SPACES
Catering must be provided through an approved licensed vendor (see list below) or through Sodexo Catering. Food Preparation and/or cooking is not permitted in the campus buildings. The appropriate license and paperwork must be provided prior to approval.
GENERAL POLICIES
- No food or beverage sales are permitted in the facilities except as specifically permitted by express prior written consent by the Housing, Dining & Conference Services Office.
- All catering items must be cleaned up at the end of the event.
- All catering providers are responsible for picking up and properly disposing of food items that can cause potential health hazard if left unattended.
- Due to health regulations, it is the policy of Sodexo and the State Health Department that excess food items from events cannot be removed from the event site.
- Items purchased for pick up should be properly stored prior to the event and removed and disposed of by the host of the event.
APPROVED FOOD VENDORS
For a list of approved vendors, please visit: ucorp.sfsu.edu/food-vendors.
BECOMING AN APPROVED FOOD VENDOR
SF State is always looking for new opportunities to improve our campus. The University Food Vendor Program is managed by the University Corporation.
If you are interested in becoming a retail or service vendor at SF State, please fill out our Retail and Commercial Services Application Form.
No alcoholic beverages of any kind, except beer and/or wine are permitted in the conference facilities. All sponsored and non-sponsored groups requesting to rent or use University facilities and serve beer and/or wine must review SF State's Alcohol Policy and complete an Alcohol Clearance Request form.
All food trucks coming to campus must make a request to the University Corporation (UCorp). UCorp will handle the contract and logistics. UCorp requires two (2) weeks advance notice. They can be contacted at: (415) 338-2246.
STAFFING SERVICES
Depending on event needs, one or more audiovisual technicians may be required for the following event spaces:
- Seven Hills Conference Center
- Towers Conference Center
- Student Life Event Center
- McKenna Theatre
- Little Theatre
- Knuth Hall
Please Note:
- A four-hour minimum in staffing charges will apply.
- Any audiovisual equipment used in the above event spaces must be provided by the University. Exceptions will only be given for equipment, which cannot be provided by the University.
For large-scale events, security may be required at the discretion of the University Police Department (UPD) at the expense of the client. UPD employs both sworn police officers and unarmed Community Service Officers (CSO). UPD may contract with an outside security firm for large events.
With support from the Parking & Transportation Department, parking enforcement officers are required for events involving controlled access to campus parking lots, including but not limited to bus drop-offs and pick-ups, parking lot closures, and intermittent traffic control.
Please Note: A four-hour minimum in staffing charges will apply.
Custodial services are required before and after all events, at the discretion of the venue manager and/or event services coordinator. For events with meals, custodial services may be required following each meal time. Large-scale events may require additional custodial services during the event to maintain restrooms and trash cans.
Please Note: A four-hour minimum in staffing charges will apply.
EQUIPMENT SERVICES
The campus has a variety of audiovisual equipment available for use. Requests for equipment must be made at the same time your reservation is make to ensure availability.
Please Note:
- A client may cancel an equipment order or staffing request up to five business days to an event without penalty. Equipment orders or staffing requests cancelled with less than five business days’ notice will be charged to the client’s account at the regular rate, even if the equipment is not used.
- If the client prefers to use their own AV equipment it must be made available for testing and configuration on site at least 2 weeks before the scheduled event.
Furniture is available to rent for events hosted on campus, subject to availability and rental cost. Delivery and pickup fees may apply.
Any event rental vendors must be an approved vendor through the university’s vendor program. Please let your event coordinator know if you plan to have specialty rentals at your events.
The use of tents or canopies is permissible with prior approval. Client(s) must inform their Event Coordinator as early as possible of their plan to utilize a tent of any kind.
Approval Requirements:
- Unenclosed tents measuring 10 x 10 feet or smaller are approved by Housing, Dining & Conference Services (HDCS).
- Enclosed tents or tents larger than 10 x 10 feet require approval by the State Fire Marshal. HDCS Event Coordinators will submit the requisite fire permits on behalf of the client.
Summer Conference Services
If you lose or damage your keys or access card, please contact your Summer Coordinator to receive a replacement. A $65 replacement fee will be applicable. Payment must be received prior to receiving a replacement.
Guests who lock themselves out of their unit, should go to the front desk of their respective building. If the front desk in your building is closed, please go to the Towers at Centennial Square front desk for assistance. The front desk staff will contact the Conference Associate on duty.
Mail is delivered Monday through Saturday (except for U.S. Postal Services holidays) to Mary Ward Hall (MWH). Your assigned Summer Coordinator will contact you by phone or email when letters or packages have been received for your conference participants. The nearest U.S. mailbox is on Font Boulevard between Mary Park Hall and Mary Ward Hall.
To ensure proper delivery, please be sure that your packages are addressed as follows:
[CONFERENCE NAME]
[YOUR NAME]
SF State University Conference Services
800 Font Boulevard
San Francisco, CA 94132
All vehicles parking on campus must have a valid parking permit. Parking is enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the year. Conference groups bear the responsibility to provide their attendees notice of all parking regulations at San Francisco State University campus.
All meals are served in the Monarca Dining Hall located directly across from Mary Ward Hall. All meals are prepared by our food service partner, Sodexo, and served as all-you-care-to-eat options. One meal per person per day is required for all conference groups residing on campus.
Hours of operation:
- Breakfast 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
- Lunch 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Dinner 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Commuter Meals and Large Group Pricing
Please contact Conference Services at hdcsces@sfsu.edu.
Take-A-Way Meals
Take-away meals or boxed meals are available upon request. Additional fees may apply with expansive menu options. Please contact Conference Services at hdcsces@sfsu.edu to obtain a request form. All requests must be received seven (7) calendar days prior to the requested service date.
Extending Dining Hours
Groups wishing to extend contracted serving times will incur a surcharge to cover additional labor costs.
All request are due to Conference & Event Services by no later than fourteen (14) calendar days prior your group’s check-in date.
Guest Suite Services
If you lose your keys please contact Conference & Event Services to receive a replacement. A $65 replacement fee will be applicable. Payment must be received prior to receiving a replacement.
Guests who lock themselves out of their unit, should go to the front desk of their building. If the front desk in your building is closed, please contact Conference & Event Services.
Each guest suite includes one reserved covered parking stall at the University Park North high rises. During check-in, guests will receive a parking tag inscribed with the stall number. A $100 fee may be assessed per lost parking permit. For guests staying longer than 30 days, a parking permit can be purchased for an additional monthly fee.
- Street Parking | The parking permit provided at check-in does not allow for parking on the street in front of the University Park North high rises or anywhere on or around the SF State campus. If a street permit is needed, please contact the Conference & Event Services for assistance.
- Campus Parking | All vehicles parking on campus must have a valid parking permit, which are available for purchase from nearby pay stations. Parking is enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the year. Guests bear the responsibility to provide their visitors notice of all parking regulations at San Francisco State University campus.