As Omicron fears wane for many, some colleges adjust dining protocols

With the hope that the worst of this winter’s COVID surge is in the rearview, some college and university campuses are adopting less stringent foodservice protocols as the semester moves forward.

The Ohio State University (OSU) in Columbus is reducing restrictions around food and beverage service at events, though the campus still encourages “pre-packaged items and properly spaced seating/standing areas” as well as wearing masks when not actively eating or drinking, per a Jan. 31 message for OSU students from Senior Vice President for Student Life Melissa Shivers and Senior Vice President and Athletics Director Gene Smith.

In addition, OSU is increasing dining hall capacities to their levels from last fall, and as of Feb. 3, it will bring back concessions at sporting events, with the full menu returning later in the month.

“As always, we will continue to monitor the path of the virus, its effects and expected impacts, and federal, state and local guidance,” say Shivers and Smith, noting that future changes may be necessary in the coming months.

At Yale University in New Haven, Conn., where the surge delayed the start of spring classes by a week, all dining halls now have dine-in available, according to the Yale Daily News. Dining options had been phasing in on Yale’s campus, with select dining halls—and later, all of them—opening for takeout. The eateries then added indoor seating on Monday.

That same day, Kent State University in Ohio also brought back dine-in service, campus news outlet KentWired reports. Its eateries had been takeout only since the semester began.