A Georgia college’s student union has been closed for two weeks after reports of bugs in food and “many dead roaches” throughout the center.
The Georgia Department of Public Health has shared the complaints that led to the Savannah State University Student Union closing Jan. 30 with Savannah ABC affiliate WJCL. The department received complaints in late January, alleging the dining hall served moldy bread and bugs were found in orders of macaroni and cheese. A student from the university shared a video tweet Jan. 29 of a plate of macaroni and cheese, which appeared to show small bugs in it. That tweet sparked the closing of the union and its dining hall, according to the Augusta Chronicle.
Savannah State University Interim President Kimberly Ballard-Washington said she did not confirm whether the footage was verified, but she took action to close the union.
“I would say we didn’t wait to verify or see what was in the container, but because it was alleged to be happening, we closed,” she said.
The investigators say they found dead roaches in several areas upon their inspection Jan. 31. There were signs that the kitchen at the student center had been treated with insecticide.
“There were many dead roaches throughout the kitchen on floors near drains, behind equipment and on some food prep surfaces,” read the report obtained by the Augusta Chronicle.
The university also released a statement:
Savannah State University is in the final stages of cleaning and maintenance of the Student Union. We closed the facility Jan. 30 and will determine a date to reopen it based on the work in progress with a goal to open next week. We want to ensure the health and safety of our students — that is our highest priority."
According to the report, the student union was closed for 10 days while it was treated and cleaned, but it is now approved for reopening. The university has yet to announce the reopening.
The health department plans to ensure the facility is on a routine treatment plan to prevent pests.
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