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Frequently Asked Questions for Catering and Conferences

You can make reservations for events by contacting Erika Chuburko, Marketing and Catering Manager, at echuburk@ashland.edu or 419-289-5186.

If you email a reservation request, note that the reservation must be confirmed beforehand. Campus groups are also required to provide an account number in order to book an event.

Standard rental fees and room capacities are listed on our Venues page:

Events that include breakfast, lunch or dinner do not incur room reservation charges. However, coffee breaks or receptions that are not followed by a meal will incur room reservation charges for the time the room is utilized. Non-university groups that rent a space but do not purchase food and beverages for their event will also pay a room rental fee.

To officially reserve your event or catering service, a non-refundable deposit of $500 (or 50% of the initial proposal if the total cost of the event is less than $500) is required at the time of signature. Deposits are part of a payment schedule based on the initial proposed event fee.

Payment due dates are:

If total payments made are not 90% of the initial proposed event fee 30 days prior to the event, Ashland University Catering and Conferences Services reserves the right to cancel the planned event until the balance is paid in full.

A 12% service charge and local sales tax will be added to the total cost of food and beverages. A linen charge, depending on the amount of equipment used during the event, will also be applied. If arranged prior to an event, additional hours may be booked at a rate of $150 per hour, if the space is available.

Additions such as centerpieces, media equipment and a dance floor will incur charges based on the specific needs of events. Ashland University Catering and Conference Services will also cut and serve cake at your event for a $150 fee.

Contact Erika Chuburko, Marketing and Catering Manager, at echuburk@ashland.edu or 419-289-5186, about planning events. Simple events can be planned with a phone call or email,but more complex events require an appointment and an office visit.

The Sales and Marketing Office is located on the main level of Amstutz Hall, next to the John C. Myers Convocation Center, on the campus of Ashland University.

When you make your reservation, we will ask you for an approximate number of guests you expect to attend. We require a final, guaranteed number of guests seven days prior to the date of your event and you will be charged for that guaranteed number of guests, regardless of actual attendance.

If the guaranteed number of guests increases within 72 hours of the event, please inform us as soon as possible. We will make every effort to accommodate and serve every guest in attendance. However, we may be required to substitute menu items.

Any cancellation will result in forfeiture of the initial $500 deposit and, depending upon the time of the cancellation, may also require payment of food and beverage costs. If reservations are canceled within seven days of an event, you will be invoiced for 100% of the cost of the event.

At the time of reservation, you must sign a catering contract. This contract is a binding agreement between you and the Sales and Marketing Office and specifies the date, time, location, mode of service and payment required for the event.

Please select one person to represent your group, communicate plans and conduct all business with our office. This keeps confusion to a minimum, ensuring a successful event.

For events priced per person, you will be billed for the guaranteed number of guests plus any additional guests served. 

For events priced à la carte, you will be billed for the previously arranged amount plus any additional food ordered.

Note that for non-university events, your final payment must be made within 10 days following the event or upon receipt of an invoice.

You may bring your own decorations, but Ashland University is not responsible for any losses or damages to them. We will take reasonable precautions to make your occasion the most pleasant experience possible, but we cannot take responsibility for personal items provided by our customers. 

Note that confetti is not permitted in any Ashland University catering or conference spaces.

The following equipment is available for use during your event:

• Dance floor
• Centerpieces
• Flip charts with markers
• Easels
• Technology ($25 per day):
  • Sound equipment
  • Laptop computer
  • Data projector

Outside food and beverage are not permitted in the Convocation Center or Catering and Conference Services facilities without written approval from the Catering and Conferences services director.

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