CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — The dining hall at Newman Hall, a University of Illinois residence facility, has been shut down after receiving a red placard during a recent health inspection, signaling serious and repeated sanitation violations. In response, the residence has launched a range of alternative dining options to ensure that students continue receiving meals while the issues are being addressed.

According to the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD), inspectors returned to Newman Hall’s food service provider, Upper Crust, on Oct. 20 for a reinspection. They found that multiple previous health violations had not been corrected. Those included improper food handling, cold foods not stored at safe temperatures, and incorrect date labeling on prepared items such as chicken and hummus.

As a result, CUPHD suspended the food service’s permit and ordered the dining area closed until it passes a compliance inspection.

Residents will be provided with meal tickets to dine in University Housing facilities, as well as prepackaged meals from local caterers, restaurants, and food trucks. Newman Hall has also offered residents a two-week meal plan credit and reimbursements for any outside meal expenses incurred during the closure.

CUPHD has scheduled a compliance hearing with Upper Crust for Oct. 27. Dining services at Newman Hall will not resume until the facility meets all public health standards.