Northland College Closure Impacts Meals for Seniors Program

The Northland College closure will affect more than just students as a meals for seniors program operating out of the school closes as well.

Chartwells Dining Services has operated out of the school for years, providing meal services for seniors in Ashland and Bayfield Counties. The organization also regularly hosted area seniors for lunch at Northland College.

With the college closing at the end of the school year however, Chartwells Dining Services will be left without a base of operations. According to an Ashland Daily Press report, the news of the closure was not entirely unexpected by organization officials.

Northland College declared financial exigency about one year ago, saying they needed to raise about $12 million in one month to remain operational. The school was forced to dip into its $25 million endowment over recent years amid declining enrollment and growing costs.

The self-imposed deadline was delayed for weeks, and ended with college officials revising their academic structure and making cuts in a last-ditch attempt to remain open. In February, the Board of Trustees determined that there was no sustainable path forward financially and voted unanimously to close the school.

With Chartwells Dining Services ceasing operations, Ashland and Bayfield County officials are now scrambling to find a new vendor for a senior meal program. The counties are required by state law to offer the service. Some Bayfield County officials say if they can’t find a new partner for the service they may just provide it themselves. The Ashland County Aging Unit is also looking for alternative solutions and new businesses to partner with.