Student organizations can no longer compete with other vendors in the CUB after a policy change.
Starting last year, the CUB RSOs, or Registered Student Organizations, are allowed to use “any food provider for catering” in the CUB. However, with this change came two restrictions: the restaurant chosen cannot compete with third-party vendors in the CUB, and it must be an approved Whitman County Caterer.
About two years ago, there was a push to get rid of the exemption forbidding outside caterers, ASWSU President Isaac Velazquez said. First, the university had to work around the contracts they held with the CUB vendors. The vendors’ leases include an exclusivity agreement stating any outside catering may not be in direct competition with them, which includes the dining concepts of “Asian Concept, Pizza, Made to Order Sandwiches, Mexican.” This means RSOs must order from CUB vendors if the food they want falls into any of these categories.
Velazquez said if groups attempt to bypass this rule they risk the CUB “denying said requests.”
The need for a restaurant to be an approved Whitman County Caterer also presents a hindrance to RSOs. Other caterers available in Pullman are not currently approved and may not be used for events in the CUB. The list of approved restaurants does not include other popular spots for students including Pizza Perfection and Chipotle.
“Groups are excited that they can use other vendors, but it’s still super limited,” Velazquez said.
Despite this increase in flexibility, University Catering, which partnered with Carlita’s and Little Caesars in the CUB, continues to offer a 20% discount to all RSOs who wish to use their dining services for events and meetings in the building. An excess fee is also applied if an outside caterer needs to use a commercial kitchen in the building.
This way, RSOs are “encouraged to work through Dining Services,” said Karee Shaw, Director of the CUB.
Despite this change, it is still the incentive for CUB restaurants to present themselves as the most convenient and accessible option for organizations.
Even with the new rule, it proves to be too much of a hassle to utilize anything other than University Catering, Panda Express or Subway for events larger than 20 people, Velazquez said.
“If we are hosting a dinner or banquet then yes, it’s easier,” he said.
