Our Mendoza Atrium was extra busy last week as MBA orientation got underway. Of course, that meant the return of a cherished tradition at Mendoza – free food! It’s great to see people grabbing a bagel and chatting with colleagues. It’s a simple reminder of how much we do enjoy being together as a community.
On the important topic of food, I want to pass along some important information provided by the University Entertainment and Events (UEE) group regarding updates to service for the fall semester.
As the labor market continues to be challenging, UEE has evaluated its current service capacity and has made some adjustments to better prioritize the needs of the University, especially those of students. Here are some of the changes that may affect our faculty and staff as employees and as event planners:
- Mendoza’s Café Commons will remain closed for the fall. Faculty and staff can still get beverages in the third floor lounges in Mendoza and Stayer. Grab ’n’ go offerings (e.g. ,fresh fruit, Farmers Fridge salads, etc.) will be expanded at both South and North Dining Halls.
- Legends will not reopen at the start of the semester as a restaurant but will be utilized as an event venue, primarily for student activities and possibly on home football game days.
- Retail dining in LaFortune and Duncan Student Center will continue. However, UEE will adjust some operating hours, primarily on weekday evenings and weekends based on staffing levels. The University will supplement capacity by providing multiple food trucks immediately outside both student centers on certain days. Visit dining.nd.edu for specific information about hours and trucks.
- Important information for event planners: Due to current staffing levels in University Catering, UEE is actively prioritizing events. At this time, any event that is not scheduled at least two weeks in advance cannot be guaranteed. Moreover, there may be times that events scheduled more than two weeks in advance will not be able to be supported by University Catering. Please contact 631-1400 to reserve space and catering services.
- In the event that University Catering is unable to assist your team, the UEE team will work to confirm an external caterer. In addition to current campus-approved caterers (Navarre Hospitality, LaSalle Catering and Levy), UEE has expanded the list of approved external caterers (e.g. Ruth’s Chris, Mission BBQ, etc.) and are actively adding more.
- Events will resume under pre-COVID event protocol with the provision that any indoor event with external guests requires all attendees to wear masks except while they are eating and drinking. Hosts are expected to communicate to guests accordingly.
We are likely to see additional changes to these guidelines and policies as current labor capacities and COVID-19 related health and safety protocols change. I appreciate your flexibility and patience as we negotiate this path to our new normal together, and look forward to many occasions this academic year when we can gather together (often with food!).
In Notre Dame,
Martijn