Rodents, swarming gnats and at least one live cockroach caught on video in Queens University of Charlotte’s student center dining spaces have turned mealtimes into a minor campus drama. The clips, paired with anonymous posts on Yik Yak, have some students eyeing Young Dining Hall with suspicion and pressing administrators for straight answers.
Students Share Videos, Turn To Delivery Apps
Students have been circulating videos that appear to show pests in the dining areas and have taken to Yik Yak to ask whether anyone has contacted the health department. According to the Charlotte Observer, some undergrads say they are skipping on-campus meals altogether and leaning on DoorDash and Uber Eats instead of the student center options.
Health Inspectors Flag Gnats And Food-Safety Issues
Mecklenburg County Public Health inspection records show that a Jan. 28, 2026 visit to the student center resulted in an 84.5 (B) rating, with inspectors noting “gnats throughout the facility.” The same records indicate that a similar gnat problem was documented in October 2025, and follow‑up checks cited concerns about food storage and residues.
A subsequent Feb. 6 inspection granted A grades to the retail dining spots in the student center, reflecting a flurry of inspections within a short period as the university and county tried to get a handle on conditions.
Queens Says It Moved Quickly To Clean Up
In emails to the campus community, university leaders said they brought in pest-control contractors, increased oversight of food storage and sanitation routines, and apologized to students for the situation. In a statement to the Charlotte Observer, a Queens spokesperson said inspections found “no indication of any food safety issue” and that the dining hall remains safe for students to use.
Why It Hits Students In The Wallet
For students locked into on-campus dining, the problem is not just stomach-turning, it is expensive. Annual meal plans at Queens cost roughly $4,048 to $7,550, which makes abandoning the dining hall and pivoting to delivery services a pricey workaround. Queens University lists current meal plan options and rates as families weigh whether they are getting what they paid for while the university tackles its pest issues.
The county posts full inspection reports online and accepts public complaints, and those records can be searched through the Mecklenburg County Public Health portal. Queens says it will keep working with outside contractors and health officials and has pledged to update students and staff if further action is required.
