Food has always been on the minds of students at schools and colleges everywhere. By the laws of Yale College, all students were required to take their meals in the commons. In the summer of 1828 students refused to go to commons until the quality of food served by the steward improved. The faculty viewed this protest as a rebellion against the authority of the college and expelled four students. The rebellion ended only with the temporary closing of the college, and in 1839 the faculty made the taking of meals in commons voluntary.