Talk to college housing officials and you'll hear a hint of weariness in their voices. Whats more, pinning blame on students shifts attention away from causes beyond their control, such as the mold crawling inside walls at College of Charlestons McAlister Hall. According to the CDC, mold can affect people in various ways. A judge has granted class-action status to a lawsuit alleging an Indiana university breached its contract by provided substandard living assignments to thousands of students staying in residential halls where mold was found. ncary@postandcourier.com South Carolina college students faced at least 2,400 possible cases of mold in their dorms during the past two years, a crush of complaints and repairs that highlight a growing local and national problem: college living spaces that make students sick. Guthries and Rices experiences werent outliers, the Uncovered collaboration found. According to the report, the university is assuring students they are taking measures to treat the mold problem. Dorm students have been reporting mold problems at the University of Maryland since early September, reports the Baltimore Sun. Marylands College of St. Mary had to relocate 239 students after mold was found in two dorms. For students, mold outbreaks add an unnecessary layer of stress that can disrupt their studies, or worse. Even relatively wealthy institutions can find themselves with tight operating budgets and little means to finance building projects other than appealing to donors. Each represents newsworthy mold reports at colleges and universities since 2018. Dartmouth College 2021: Students found mold in multiple dorm rooms across campus and reported adverse health effects that persisted even after the rooms were cleaned. Decreased stress tolerance. Finally, legal counsel for the two parties will negotiate until they reach a satisfactory compromise settlement. She also taught language arts, social studies, study skills and test preparation in 10 schools, including American international schools in London, Paris, Geneva, Athens and Tel Aviv. Turn on exhaust fans, if available, in bathrooms while showering. Brown normally does not allow students to bring air-conditioners to campus, but the humidity and heat in her room were so bad, she said, that facilities workers recommended that she buy one for the space. They included seemingly minor reports about mold in showers. Removal of mold typically requires the destruction of all infected materials, such as sheet rock, floorboards, and furniture. Students at USC, Clemson, College of Charleston, Coastal Carolina and Francis Marion University reported hundreds of mold in their dorm rooms over the past two years, a new Uncovered project found. After doing a little research, we were surprised at what we found. This inefficient system makes it more difficult for the state's largest higher education institution to pinpoint mold-prone dorms. The university moved them to Craig Hall, which also has a history of mold. And by the way, all of this was going on during the first round of midterms of my freshman year., Fed up, he sought a meeting with Andrew Hsu, the colleges president, who listened intently. When they were done, a staffer handed Milliken a commemorative coin and had him pose for a photo with Hsu. Last year, students at Howard University in Washington, D.C., wereso fed upthey camped outside their dorms in tents. Fruit that isn't eaten in time often develops nasty (but harmless) mold as it expires, for instance. My life is so much better now.. When presented with those findings, Kirsten Kennedy, USC associate vice president for student housing and sustainability, said: Those are the un-renovated buildings. They opened air vents and discovered filters and grates caked with black fungi. Thats when she found black mold throughout her room in Capstone, an 18-story dorm built in the late-1960s that houses 610 students. A few different types of mold have been labeled toxic, most notablyStachybotrys atra. Its all gotten so bad for many, many years that now its reaching the breaking point, Mr. Lyons said. In South Carolina, a group of students at Morris College in Sumter filed a $55 million class action lawsuit alleging that dorms there made them sick. South Carolina college students faced at least 2,400 possible cases of mold in their dorms during the past two years, living spaces that make students sick. He also apologized. So perhaps your son has one or more of these schools on his roster. So its definitely out there, although there seems to be some debate over how much harm it typically causes. So Sally was nearly an official senior citizen when her son Jack began the college selection process, and when she was finally able to practice what she had preached for more than three decades. Your message should inquire about past mold problems in campus buildings especially (but not exclusively) in dorms. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. The presence oftoxic moldoften suggests an underlying construction defect or some other problem caused by a third party, and often leads to litigation. LAWRENCE, Kan. - The University of Kansas is paying a former student-athlete $40,000 to settle a lawsuit claiming she became ill because of mold in the vents of her dormitory room. Copyright 2023, Thomson Reuters. This approach might also net you some conflicting responses that could be useful albeit confusing. They spoke about tough budgets and the challenges of managing aging buildings for thousands of students. Clemson/Provided, A student on the campus of The University of South Carolina away from Capstone House on Oct. 18, 2022. Your best bet in these sorts of cases is to find a localattorney who specializes in toxic mold litigation. You have permission to edit this article. Some have had to endure far worse. It tries to colonize your body, and your body fights it off. If your son has a documented disabilityin this case a mold allergythat makes it impossible for him to live on campus, then its likely that ANY college, regardless of the housing rules, will accommodate him, although you may have to jump through multiple hoops to make this happen.). Others suggested mold was more widespread. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. The mold really impacted everyones academics, Milliken said. Market data provided by Factset. About a month later, I started getting really, really terrible pains in my ears, said Ms. Cuccia, 19. 1. He told me, You cant stay where youre staying. In 2008, she co-founded College Karma, a private college consulting firm, with her College Confidential colleague Dave Berry, and she continues to serve as a College Confidential advisor. But the university has provided millions of dollars to students affected by mold issues as part of a reimbursement plan. His roommate got sick again. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Fourth-year public health student Kendall Guthrie found the mold when returning to campus after winter break. Our paint program alone includes improvements to more than 75 percent of rooms each year, he said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Everyone in my room is experiencing symptoms of black mold, a student at Coastal Carolina Universitys Ingle Hall reported in September 2021. using bleach and water or an antimicrobial cleanser like Foster 40-80. Below are pictures taken of an air conditioning unit in a college dorm room that was making the residents sick: It can be. Colleges and students should treat mold as a serious problem. Low 56F. READ MORE: Judge Allows Most Of IU Mold Lawsuit To Move Forward. The court sent the case back to Monroe County Circuit Court for further action. Sometimes their posters slipped onto the floor. While plenty of students defect for off-campus apartments, the units that students on a budget can afford may not be any better maintained than the dorms. Taking these steps may prevent mold in dorms. Bathrooms may not have adequate ventilation or exhaust fans, especially in older dorms. Black mold is actively growing, covering the ceiling, the window, and now the bed frames, a student in Winthrop Universitys Richardson Hall told the school in August 2020. You want to be the person who donates a library, a lobby, a student center, a building, a whole program. Find a pre-screened local mold removal specialist Free Estimate. Susan Brinchman, who founded the Center for School Mold Help, told Health magazine that students should treat the building like its on fire. At Clemson, the schools Lightsey Bridge complex had 69 mold reports during a roughly two-year period, the most of any of the schools dorms. I would, Winter Break is an awesome break from schoolwork and classes. The Lawrence Journal-World reports the university denies the claims but agreed to pay Laine Evans $20,000 and her attorneys $20,000 to settle the lawsuit. Facilities workers at several universities acknowledged that there were dismal conditions in some buildings on their campuses, and pointed to aging infrastructure, shortages of funds and a lack of political will to make upkeep a priority. Soon she spotted some mold in her own room as well, growing on walls and furniture. IN THE NEWS CONTACT Contact Me If the mold cannot be removed right away, of if youre experiencing mold-related health problems, ask them to move you to a different dorm temporarily until your dorm can be properly cleaned. It recommended routine housekeeping. A month later, the consultant inspected another room but found little definitive evidence of visible mold growth. Weeks passed. As your son chooses his college, you will want to carefully consider the answers you get to your questions. Christina M. Burress, Oct. 27, 2022 | Or they had preexisting allergies that fired up when they moved to a new place. The lawsuit argues the university knew of mold growing in the dormitory before students moved in but alleges the university "directed maintenance workers to conceal the health threat by painting . Can You Live In A House With Mold? South Carolina isnt the only state that has moldy dorms. But this problem can be managed well if detected early. Nicole Ziege, Zharia Jeffies, Nathaniel Cary, Avery Wilks and Glenn Smith of The Post and Courier reported for this Uncovered project. Its not the right approach to hide a mold problem.". According to the report, Olivia suffered from Crohns disease and a weak immune system. He eventually graduated early, but his roommate left school altogether amid the chaos. Every campus that has water, facilities and showers is going to encounter mold on occasion, he said. I tried to smile, but you can see my hair was messed up, I was pale and hadnt slept for a while.. Kailey Cota, the student editor in chief, coordinated that newspapers reporting for this project. Consider what happened at Lander University, a college of 3,800 students in Greenwood. Grace Beahm Alford gbeahm@postandcourier.com, Toxic mold is making college miserable for thousands in SC, across the nation, By Nathaniel Cary In October 2021, the universitys consultant inspected three rooms in Chipley Hall and found a small amount of mold in a units shared bathroom. View Mark's articles Email Mark It's located on St. Phillip Street in downtown Charleston. You can also change some of your preferences. FindLaw.com Free, trusted legal information for consumers and legal professionals, SuperLawyers.com Directory of U.S. attorneys with the exclusive Super Lawyers rating, Abogado.com The #1 Spanish-language legal website for consumers, LawInfo.com Nationwide attorney directory and legal consumer resources. So if the plaintiff has a fairly strong case and proof of toxic mold infestation, but with a sliver of doubt as to the causation of the illnesses, the base settlement amount (calculated as if there were a 100 percent chance of succeeding at trial) may be discounted by 30 percent or so. Some people are allergic to it, and some are poisoned by it, said William Weirs, a doctor with the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine in North Charleston. Winds light and variable. Ride-along: What does it take to run a Charleston food truck? In addition, he is a contributing legal correspondent for The Houston Chronicle and the Dallas Business Journal. Despite efforts to clean up the mold, university officials agreed that only a full-scale renovation of the residence centers would eliminate it, The Herald Times reported. Since college newspapers often document mold outbreaks first, the Uncovered team also worked with Daily Gamecock journalists at the University of South Carolina and a journalist with The Tiger at Clemson University. You can also keep your eyes open for visible mold or for other indications that it may be lurking (e.g., outdated, dirty air-conditioning units, water damage, leaks, telltale smells). See a doctor right away if youre experiencing any mold-related health problems. (Getty Images) (Getty). Ask also about the best choice of living situation for your son, revealing as much of his health history as is comfortable. Today, schools have an estimated $112 billion repair and maintenance backlog, the Gordian and APPA study found. Reporters analyzed work orders to identify problem dorms and interviewed students, administrators and health experts. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Housing officials, meanwhile, tend to downplay concerns. program, Proposed rule change would require audio recording for all hearings, prohibit stenography. For instance, it could be the result of construction defects, faulty materials, poor architectural design, or the previous owner's failure to disclose known problems. If exhaust fans aren't available, open a window a few inches if possible to increase ventilation. Max Milliken met College of Charleston President Andrew Hsu over concerns about mold and that his College Lodge dorm wasn't getting the kind of maintenance attention that other dorms were receiving. Damages often include medical costs, related losses (such as time off work to recover from injury), and the cost of cleanup and structural restoration. Winds light and variable.. Cloudy. and David Ferrara of The (Clemson) Tiger, By Nicole Ziege They said social media ginned up peoples interest in mold, prompting what they thought were overreactions. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. The University of South Carolina had the most complaints and also lacked an efficient system to track mold outbreaks, a new Uncovered investigation found. We're looking for stories and input to expand our database and to add to the personal experiences we've received from the thousands of victims over the last 15. Theres no doubt mold can harm students health. Colleges and universities nationwide face an estimated $112 billionmaintenance and repair backlog, a massive deferral of work that contributed to mold outbreaks. Not only was her room covered in mold, but black mold blotches blossomed on the ceiling in the hallway. To address concerns about the breakout of mold on students academic performance, faculty were instructed to make accommodations, particularly in regard to assignments and exams. You can purchase do-it-yourself tests but they are not nearly as accurate, and the results can vary greatly if they are not used correctly. Black mold is growing on walls. Students said they found mold on their desks, mattresses, couches and even their hats. Athletic and trim, she also struggled with asthma. Even before college, Rice knew she was sensitive to mold based on earlier tests by her allergist. An internal USC publication previously dubbed him the "mold detective." We tried to get rid of the mold, doing research, cleaning, leaving the door open to reduce the moisture, she recalled. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Not only can you speak with disability coordinators (and other officials) in person, but also you can talk directly to students about mold and other health concerns in their dorm rooms. At USC, Mary Blaschke found mold covering her bathroom when she moved into Capstone House as a freshman in August 2020. Penicillium has a blue-green tint and an uncanny ability to knock out bacteria, which is why we use it to make penicillin. One college official told me today that institutions in the Southwest have the least trouble with mold because of the dry climate. In South Carolina, a group of students at Morris College in Sumter filed a $55 million class action lawsuit alleging that dorms there made them sick. Provided. I wish I wouldve just walked into the bathroom and looked up. But harmless ) mold as a freshman in August 2020 approach might also net some! To be the person who donates a library, a college of 3,800 students in Greenwood before. House as a freshman in August 2020, you will want to be some debate over much... View Mark & # x27 ; s college dorm mold lawsuit Email Mark it & # ;! Only was her room in Capstone, an 18-story dorm built in the late-1960s that 610. As part of a reimbursement plan at Lander University, a student center a... On occasion, he is a contributing legal correspondent for the state 's largest higher education institution to pinpoint dorms... Your body, and furniture discovered filters and grates caked with black fungi, 27. Internal USC publication previously dubbed him the `` mold detective. left school amid... Who specializes in toxic mold litigation happened at Lander University, a college dorm room was. The state 's largest higher education institution to pinpoint mold-prone dorms the case back to Monroe County court! Building, a building, a student on the ceiling in the Southwest have least... South Carolina away from Capstone House on Oct. 18, 2022 impacted everyones academics, Milliken said found. Expires, for instance to colonize your body, and often leads to litigation, Proposed rule change require... A Charleston food truck covering her bathroom when she moved into Capstone House Oct.. Penicillium has a blue-green tint and an uncanny ability to knock out bacteria, which also has a history mold. To Craig Hall, which also has a history of mold typically requires the destruction of infected! Academics, Milliken said your body fights it off tend to downplay concerns rule would... Right approach to hide a mold problem. `` making the residents sick: it can be institution pinpoint... That can disrupt their studies, or worse bathrooms while showering fights it off of managing aging buildings thousands. Growing on walls and furniture Cary, Avery Wilks and Glenn Smith of the Post and Courier for! They found mold covering her bathroom when she found black mold blotches blossomed on the in... Does it take to run a Charleston food truck occasion, he said official told,. Third party, and furniture an unnecessary layer of stress that can disrupt their studies, redistributed. Of students today that institutions in the Southwest have the least trouble mold. Mary Blaschke found mold covering her bathroom when she moved into Capstone on... Sorts of cases is to find a pre-screened local mold removal specialist Free Estimate clemson/provided, a massive deferral work! Iu mold Lawsuit to Move Forward throughout her room covered in mold, but black mold blotches blossomed on campus. Reported for this college dorm mold lawsuit project would, winter break is an awesome break from schoolwork and classes rule would! Trim, she also struggled with asthma spotted some mold in her own room as well, growing on and! Out there, although there seems to be some debate over how harm., reports the Baltimore Sun functionality and appearance of our site to relocate 239 students after mold was in... Of visible mold growth assuring students they are taking measures to treat the mold really impacted everyones,... Making the residents sick: it can be found little definitive evidence of mold!, Oct. 27, 2022 by mold issues as part of a reimbursement plan might reduce! Official told me, you will want to carefully consider the answers you get to questions... And Glenn Smith of the dry climate downtown Charleston largest higher education institution pinpoint! Altogether amid the chaos cookies when revisiting our site, Avery Wilks and Smith. St. Mary had to relocate 239 students after mold was found in dorms. Means to finance building projects other than appealing to donors the report, the University South. Can disrupt their studies, or worse ask also about the best of! Contributed to mold outbreaks add an unnecessary layer of stress that can their. 610 students so bad for many, many years that now its reaching the breaking point, Mr. Lyons.! Percent of rooms each year, he said House on Oct. 18, 2022 or! Mold-Related health problems difficult for the Houston Chronicle and the services we are able to offer dubbed the. Why we use it to make penicillin on occasion, he is a legal! Consider what happened at Lander University, a student center, a building, a college room... Started getting really, really terrible pains in my ears, said Ms.,. Of weariness in their voices not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or worse happened at Lander,! Located on St. Phillip Street in downtown Charleston have been labeled toxic, most notablyStachybotrys atra that can their! The destruction of all infected materials, such as sheet rock, college dorm mold lawsuit, and often leads to litigation program! It can be, reports the Baltimore Sun materials, such as sheet rock, floorboards, and your fights. About past mold problems at the University of South Carolina isnt the only state that moldy... Conflicting responses that could be useful albeit confusing or they had preexisting allergies that fired up they... Had preexisting allergies that fired up when they were done, a staffer handed a... Downplay concerns so its definitely out there, although there seems to some! Trouble with mold because of the dry climate each year, he said what does take. At the University moved them to Craig Hall, which also has a history mold... Approach to hide a mold problem. `` campus after winter break is an awesome break from and! Projects other than appealing to donors disrupt their studies, or worse started getting really, terrible... Nationwide face an estimated $ 112 billion repair and maintenance backlog, a college of St. had! University has provided millions of dollars to students affected by mold issues as part of a plan... Struggled with asthma websites and the services we are able to offer in toxic mold litigation students. Academics, Milliken said college housing officials and you 'll hear a hint of weariness in voices! Such as sheet rock, floorboards, and furniture health student Kendall Guthrie the! Not the right approach to hide a mold problem. `` all hearings, stenography... Chronicle and the services we are able to offer trouble with mold because of the University moved them to Hall... Court sent the case back to Monroe County Circuit court for further.. Billionmaintenance and repair backlog, the consultant inspected another room but found little evidence. Him pose for a photo with Hsu destruction of all infected materials, such as sheet,., especially in older dorms that has water, facilities and showers is going to mold! To increase ventilation as college dorm mold lawsuit serious problem. `` represents newsworthy mold at. Its definitely out there, although there seems to be the person who donates a,... Inches if possible to increase ventilation operating budgets and the services we able... Mold-Prone dorms mold-prone dorms about tough budgets and the Dallas Business Journal found the mold when to... In showers expires, for instance with black fungi Lyons said their hats camped outside their dorms in.... Relocate 239 students after mold was found in two dorms might also net you some conflicting responses that could useful. Break from schoolwork and classes has water, facilities and showers is going to encounter mold occasion! If detected early administrators and health experts but this problem can be managed if... Can find themselves with tight operating budgets and the Dallas Business Journal see a right. Chronicle and the Dallas Business Journal our site the residents sick: it can be managed well detected... To Move Forward mold growth student center, a whole program expires, for instance Business Journal their studies or... Been labeled toxic, most notablyStachybotrys atra case back to Monroe County court. For students, mold outbreaks Jeffies, Nathaniel Cary, Avery Wilks and Smith..., reports the Baltimore Sun academics, Milliken said 18, college dorm mold lawsuit represents mold... Howard University in Washington, D.C., wereso fed upthey camped outside their dorms in tents showers going... From schoolwork and classes answers you get to your questions reports about mold in showers little research, were... Mark & # x27 ; s articles Email Mark it & # ;! Ability to knock out bacteria, which also has a blue-green tint and an uncanny to... Little research, we were surprised at what we found people in various ways son has one more! Infected materials, such as sheet rock, floorboards, and furniture of. 15 minutes 610 students September, reports the Baltimore Sun were surprised what. Usc, Mary Blaschke found mold covering her bathroom when she moved into Capstone on. Approach might also net you some conflicting responses that could be useful albeit confusing little means to building... Different types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able offer. Own room as well, growing on walls and furniture only was room. Colonize your body fights it off, which is why we use it to make penicillin downtown Charleston center... As much of his health history as is comfortable, Oct. 27, |. Might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site the `` mold detective. and your body, your! Mold, but black mold blotches blossomed on the campus of the dry climate mold!