Welcome to the Northwestern University Outdoor Event Request Portal
Northwestern University departments and recognized student organizations may make outdoor event requests. Although there is generally no fee associated with an outdoor event, each request must include include a valid Chartstring number, which will be used should the space be damaged or improperly cleaned after your event.
Please read through each section for specific information that may impact your event. Events taking place without meeting proper permit, insurance, or university requirements will not be approved, or may risk cancellation.
Your organization may hire a caterer or purchase and prepare food for your event in any location except the Norris Center lawns, the athletic fields, and the North Beach, which require exclusive catering arrangements through Northwestern Catering. Please see the policies for those locations for details.
Alcoholic beverages must be supplied and served by a licensed caterer and bartender. Organizations are prohibited from providing their own non-licensed catering or bartending services.
Other than as contractually permitted for Northwestern’s campus-wide food service provider, Food trucks and temporary food retail locations are prohibited on Northwestern campuses.
Student organization fundraisers involving the sale of food, whether bake sales or outside vendor provided products, must be approved by Norris University Center Event Management Office at least 10 business days prior to the event.
Any outside vendor you contract with to provide goods or services on campus must provide Northwestern with a certificate of insurance approved by the Northwestern Office of Risk Management. Any off campus vendor providing service for an event must provide a valid COI for approval prior to the work being done.
Certificates of insurance are also required for outside organizations holding university sponsored activities on campus.
Northwestern Facilities Management must coordinate electrical, waste management, or other service requirements where necessary. Allow at least 10 business days for service coordination. Facilities Management cannot guarantee service due to incomplete or late requests.
This policy addresses the parameters for free expression and peaceful demonstration by members of the Northwestern community. For purposes of the policy, disruption and demonstration refers to engaging in assemblies, demonstrations, picketing, protests, counter-protests, sit-ins, or any other exercise of free expression on or near the University campus
University Police can be hired to provide security, for a fee, at special programs including concerts, invited speakers, athletic events and 5K races. Some campus venues may require security services in order to hold an event at their site. Please request security services at least 10 business days in advance.
Some locations on campus require special permission, fees, or additional steps in order to reserve. See below for specific information.
No fundraising allowed in either area.
No use of grills (gas or charcoal) in the Tech Courtyards.
Due to events taking place within Tech and Ford, we reserve the right to deny or limit amplified sound levels in the courtyards or lawn, regardless of whether a permit has been secured.
The lawn south of the Ford Building is managed by Garrett Seminary. Events requested for this area will require a $100 use fee.
Alcohol is not permitted for events at this venue.
For any race or 5k taking place on campus, waivers must be signed by all participants and returned to the Office of Risk Management after completion of the event
Waivers will be emailed to the organizer upon submission of your request
Please be sure to select a specific location (eg. Norris East Lawn) as your start and end point along with the Campus Race Route in your request
Requestors are responsible for determining the race route. All race routes must be approved.
Northwestern Catering has exclusive catering rights on the Norris East & South Lawns
Due to events taking place within Norris, we reserve the right to deny or limit amplified sound levels on the lawns, regardless of whether a permit has been secured.
Long Field 1, 2, 3
Soccer/LAX Field
Field Hockey Field
Lakefill Recreational Field
Please contact the Recreation Department at 847-491-2418
Alcohol is not permitted on the beach when it is open to the public, which is from 7AM-8PM between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Bonfires are not permitted on the beach.
Events at the North Beach require a beach manager and lifeguard. The fee for this service will be charged to the Chartstring number listed in your event request.
Please contact the Director of Aquatics and Waterfront Operationsat 847-467-1470
Required Permits
Event requestors and organizations are responsible for securing any required permit, or for guaranteeing that off campus vendors secure permits where required. The university will not submit permit applications on your behalf. In general, allow at least 10 business days for permit request approval.
Bonfires are restricted to the Lakefill Fire Pit. Your organization must supply the wood and have a fire extinguisher on site at all times. All bonfires must end at 11:00 pm. Your event confirmation will serve as your Bonfire Permit.
Tent permits are required for all temporary structures which are staked or water barreled to the ground. Tent provider is responsible for coordinating all university and municipal underground utility locates (JULIE), and for adhering to all codes or requirements for temporary structures. Tents are not permitted on Athletic fields
Loudspeakers are restricted by city ordinance to the east side of Sheridan Road and must end before 10:00 PM on Sunday through Thursday and before 11:00 PM on Friday or Saturday. Allow at least two weeks for permit processing.
Please review all applicable areas above for information regarding your potential event before submitting a request.
Submit your request (see below)
After request is submitted, your 10 business day period begins
Your event will be reviewed by Norris Events before it begins the routing process
Once your event is placed in a 'Pending' status, it will be routed to different partners to be approved
After your event has been routed back to Norris Events it will be placed in a 'Approved/Inactive' Status and a confirmation will be sent to the contact listed.
Upon receiving your confirmation from Norris Event Management, please review your confirmation, specifically 'Outdoor Event Details', and secure any Certificates of Insurance (COI), Permits, Rental Agreements, etc. that are applicable to your event and email them to the proper areas listed in your confirmation.
Upon receipt of all applicable forms your account will be moved into an 'Approved/Active' status.
If there are not forms needed your event will go directly from a 'Inactive' to 'Active' Status
Please remember that this process can take up to 10 business days and typically will not be expedited.
Until you receive a confirmation email from the Norris Event Planning Office, and the schedule is "activated," the event has NOT been approved.
Please Note: Event Requests can take between 5 and 10 business days for approval.
