At 5:30 p.m. yesterday, Aaron S. Mathes '98 entered the Freshman Union with more than the usual amount of trepidation.

"I'm taking my life into my own hands," he said, half-joking.

Not everyone was willing to take the risk. Mathes and other students returning to the Union following Tuesday's epidemic of vomiting had no trouble finding seats. Cellophane-wrapped meals were served in sanitized, plastic containers and only canned drinks were available.

"I'm not thinking about it," said Robert M. Hass '98. "I have to eat."

Several of the almost 200 students who went to the University Health Services last night said they ate at river houses, but the vast majority of the ill were first-year students. The first-phase of the University investigation of the illness has considered the possibility of food poisoning at the Union.

After remaining closed during the morning while state, city and University investigators searched for clues to the epidemic's cause, lunch and dinner were served at the Union. Those meals, however, were prepared at a College kitchen which normally produces food for the river houses.

The meals were put in heated containers and driven in vans to the Union from the College kitchen at 80 JFK St., which was determined to be free from any contamination, according to David Lentini, the kitchen's general manager.

"It's very strange," said Jorio S. Salgado-Gama '98, a victim of Tuesday's outbreak, as he looked puzzledly at the various plastic-covered offerings in the Union.

Salgado-Gama said he returned to the first-year dining hall because he was comforted by the preventive measures taken by the University. But other students were still upset by Tuesday's events.

"This kind of thing should not happen, especially at Harvard," said Kevin S. McDonald '98.

During dinner last night, students said they were ambivalent about returning to the Union, but had no choice.

"It's kind of scary eating today," McDonald said. "When I came in, I saw everything wrapped up [in cellophane.]"

"I might as well give it a shot," added Greg M. Tears '98, who ate lunch at a local restaurant but decided to return to the Union for dinner.

Other students were more philosophical about their return to the Union.

"I figure if I didn't get [sick] yesterday, I won't get [sick] today," Chris Min '98 said while eating turkey.

But many students decided to skip their meals at the Union altogether.

Jocelyn M. Walker '98 and five of her friends ditched the Union and went to Chili's Grill & Bar instead.

"We've all been sick with colds so there is no way we will risk our stomachs as well," she said.

The houses were also busier last night as first-years tried to avoid the Union.

"I never liked [the Union] in the first place," said Cristina G. Um '98, who dined in Adams House