Smith Hall residents plagued by mold

After returning from a well-deserved break, some residents of Smith Hall were greeted with the ugly sight and stench of an unwelcome guest – mold.

Daisy Vazquez, a freshman and Smith Hall resident, arrived late one night roughly a week before spring classes began. She walked into her dorm room and immediately saw noticeable mold scattered along the piping throughout the space. Naturally, she went down to complain but the late night staff did not have the ability to fix the problem at that moment. She had no other choice but to sleep in the room and suffer a cough the next morning.

Vazquez spent the next day cleaning her dorm from top to bottom. She found the fungus on several personal items including her clothing and shoes. Afterwards, she was able to identify the source.

“I noticed there was mold coming from my AC vent,” Vazquez said. “That’s where the problem was coming from.”

Purses, laundry baskets, ukulele cases, work shoes and other articles of clothing were damaged as the mold grew over winter break. Vazquez said that the housing department has offered to pay for some of the damage that resulted in personal loss of property. Smith Hall's Residence Coordinator failed to respond to a request for comment by deadline.

Vazquez is primarily worried that the housing department will focus only on cleaning up the mold on a case-by-case basis rather than finding a permanent solution to avoid issues in the future.

“I’m worried about next year’s students,” Vazquez said. “They have to do something about it.”

Prior to leaving for winter break, Vazquez and her roommate experienced mold related illnesses. Vazquez suffered from a sinus infection and her roommate had pneumonia. After visiting University Health Services, Vazquez said that she could likely attribute the illness to the damp living conditions in Smith Hall.

“[The mold] is not only affecting the things that we have, it’s affecting our health.” Vazquez said.

According to the CDC, mold can be found in virtually any environment but its growth is encouraged by humid and damp areas. Some people are sensitive to mold exposure and subsequently experience nasal and lung issues. In extreme cases, severe reactions include fever and shortness of breath.

The CDC suggests that, if you do have mold, to clean it with soap and water or a bleach solution of no more than one cup bleach per one gallon of water. In order to prevent mold, the CDC advises tenants to encourage fresh air flow by opening windows or using a dehumidifier.

Vazquez has been able to maintain contact with the housing staff and says that they have been cooperative in cleaning the mold once it is discovered.

“They are trying to fix as much as they can now,” Vazquez said.