College societies are left confused this week as the Senior Dean has imposed a complete ban on the distribution of food during Freshers’ Week – other than by approved providers – while the Central Societies Committee say the rules can be ‘flexible’. The issue is of particular concern to the Philosophical Society who have aquired 72,000 self-bake bread rolls.
College societies are left confused this week as the Senior Dean has imposed a complete ban on the distribution of food during Freshers’ Week – other than by approved providers – while the Central Societies Committee say the rules can be ‘flexible’. The issue is of particular concern to the Philosophical Society who have aquired 72,000 self-bake bread rolls.
College food and drink regulations, which were updated earlier this year, allow for the preparation and distribution of cold foods such as sandwiches, dry snacks and cakes at College events if certain criteria are met. Hot foods may not be served unless College catering or an external caterer with a HSE Food Hygiene Certificate is employed.
However, stricter regulations specific to this Freshers’ Week state that societies are not permitted to distribute any food – unless from approved providers. The measures have been implemented partly in response to concerns which arose from last year’s Freshers’ Week when food was cooked in campus residences and served at society stands.
Confusion has arisen however over how seriously these additional regulations will apply. Joe O’Gorman, Honorary Treasurer of the CSC admitted that the rule was a “blunt instrument”, and that societies should seek exceptions to this if they wish to serve food. Mr. O’Gorman told Trinity News that every rule cannot be reduced to unworkable specifics, and that it is more appropriate to place a blanket ban on serving food. He said that societies should realize that the CSC are willing to allow exceptions where the reasons are justified. Mr. O’Gorman also noted that the rule affected only a handful of societies, and that a society could seek permission to use the CSC kitchen.
Despite this, societies still feel that the regulations are overly harsh and difficult to work with. Paul Gallagher, chairman of the DU Food and Drink Society said, “Although the purpose of the rules is to protect students, the regulations are restrictive. They are driving our society events to locations off campus.” Mr. Gallagher emphasised that the society would comply fully with college regulations for Freshers’ Week.
