Conn Hall fails first health inspection

SIMONE VIRZI — News Writer

On the first inspection, conducted by the New Haven Health Department on Jan. 25, Conn Hall received 74 points out of a possible 100, but that was because there were a “significant number of minor procedural issues,” Danny Dawkins, the resident district manager of Chartwells, said.

According to the first health inspection report, Conn Hall was written up for over 20 issues. For instance, there were “missing labels on salad dressing bottles in salad area,” “Mold underside of beverage dispenser (sodas) in faculty room,” “Jackson dishwasher final rinse only 155 degrees sign,” and “shell eggs stored over ready to eat (mushrooms).” The report also noted “missing labels on salad dressing bottles in salad area,” “bagels out uncovered,” and “under side milk station—not clean.”

The first inspector also noted in the report crab meat was “60 degrees sign F [Fahrenheit] in service line.” Dawkins said that meat “was removed immediately.”

There had been rumors a problem was found with the chicken. The only issue reported with the chicken was in reference to the chicken pizza, which was 129 degrees, according to the first health inspection report.

If a facility scores below an 80, the location is re-inspected, Dawkins said.

For the second inspection, on Feb. 13, Conn Hall received 85 points. Since the facility scored this high, it will not have to be re-inspected. Conn Hall did not receive 100 points due to procedural issues.

According to the second health inspection report, Conn Hall lost four points because it had one dented can in the facility and two cans were missing labels.

Facilities like Conn Hall cannot serve the contents of what is in a dented can because there “could be potential issues with a dented can,” said Dawkins, even though someone at a grocery store can purchase a dented can for a reduced price.

Conn Hall also lost two points because there was a “staff Dunkin Donuts cup stored with public food,” according to the second health inspection report.

“Any inspection is a snapshot,” Dawkins said.

Conn Hall is inspected at least once a semester, and sometimes over the summer as well, said Dawkins. However, Chartwells, which provides food for Conn Hall, the Adanti Student Center, and the Bagel Wagon, is also inspected by third party audits as an “extra set of eyes.” By law, Chartwells is not required to have a third party check regularly; it is something they choose to do on their own.

Although some people may see a health inspector as in a hassle, Dawkins has a different perspective.

“[The] health service is here to help us,” he said, adding he “don’t make light of the situation,” in reference to the first time Conn Hall received 74 points.

Because he is taking the situation seriously, Dawkins said that he would be open to giving any student a tour of Conn Hall, if someone is skeptical of the facility.

Freshman Shawn Boahene said he had heard in his Italian class Conn Hall had failed a health inspection. However, it did not make him hesitant to return to eat at the facility.

“I don’t know the [New Haven] area so well,” he said, “so I rely on Conn.”

Although Boadhene said he does not have any serious complaints, he said he would prefer if the food tasted “a little better.” However, he uses Conn Hall more often than the student center.

“Most of the time, I try to avoid [Conn Hall],” he said, even though he “used to come about twice a day.”

In the past, Dawkins said Conn Hall has received up to 100 points on a health inspection, and is taking the job seriously to be up to regulations.

“Our commitment [is] to providing the best program and fixing issues,” he said.