Ball State University dining establishments have been inspected at a lower frequency than preferred, Tony Proudfoot, associate vice president for marketing and communications, said.
However student health has never been in danger because of the lack of inspections, he said.
Proudfoot said Elliott Hall and Woodworth Complex went nearly six years without inspection, the Atrium went almost three years and LaFollette dining facilities went two years without an inspection.
Concerns were raised about university dining inspections after a Saturday Star Press report about Ball State not inspecting its dining facilities according to state recommendations.
Proudfoot said the university is trying to correct the problems, and it did not break any laws.
Ball State has had all dining services but the Burris facility which was inspected this month, Proudfoot said.
"Communication with the state health department has been very positive, period," Proudfoot said. "I don't think that would be the case if they felt students' health was at risk."
Proudfoot said Ball State has been working closely with the Indiana Food Protection Program to determine the correct frequency of inspections based on their risk assessment.
"We have a lot of variability among our facilities," Proudfoot said. "We have everything from small cafes to complex food courts. Each one needs its own schedule."
Because Ball State is on state property, the university has to conduct its own inspections by someone not employed within the dining organization, Proudfoot said. Ball State began training an individual to conduct inspections two months ago, Proudfoot said, and that person's training should be done in four to six weeks.
Proudfoot said Ball State has always had a person required to do the inspections. However, that person had to go on intermittent leave, and it takes time to train another employee for this duty, Proudfoot said.
Proudfoot said multiple checks for things such as temperatures and cleanliness by the dining workers keep Ball State's dining facilities in compliance with the Indiana health code.
"Those processes have been working all along," he said.
Despite the lack of checks by higher organizations, some students said they have never had a problem with dining facilities.
Senior Ben Leis said he doesn't think it's a big deal.
"The food's always been good and the variety has always been fine," Leis said. "I've never known anyone to have a problem. It won't stop me from eating."
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