Mice Problem in the Quad

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

Hi,

So we have a massive mice problem in our dorm, and the administration has been very unhelpful so far about finding a permanent solution to this issue. We, my roommate and I, have tried everything within our power (cleaning out all food, mic repellants) to fix this problem, but it persists because the mice have been reproducing in our walls.

I am very angry, especially because both my roommate and I pay $70K for this school, yet they can’t be more helpful when our health, both physically and mentally, is in danger.

I haven’t complained very aggressively yet, but obviously I need to because currently the administration has been very unhelpful (we’ve been talking with them for two weeks over this). But at the same time I don’t want to cause a rift in my relationship with the administration for the future. How can I go about doing this? Like, how can I effectively get my anger across without creating bad blood?

Thanks all!

2

So… here’s one idea if you’re not squeamish. Go out and get a couple of those sticky traps. Make them very enticing to mice and put them where you know mice go. If the problem is as bad as you say, they will be covered with mice very quickly. (Warning,: the mice don’t die right away, so there will be a brief, gruesome period). Photograph the traps and call the buildings department to come get them and dispose of them at which time you can politely request that they assume rodent extermination responsibility going forward. You can follow up with a letter to the administration letting them know of your request (and sharing your photos ).

This will verify that there is a problem and will also demonstrate that you have tried to solve it but that it’s just too big for one (or 2) go-getters to take on.

But you have to be willing to catch the first batch. (And if they are multiplying in the walls, you do need help!)

3

This is one of those cases where you may want to ask you parents to make a call. It is not right, but sometimes college administrators respond better when the complaint comes directly from an adult who is paying the bills.

4

http://philly.curbed.com/2013/4/23/10251012/tenants-rights-in-philadelphia-what-are-the-requirements-for-a-rental

Have your parent tell the Uni their concerns. UPenn is a landlord and they could be shut down if they do not provide those basic nieeds.

5

Call the Philadelphia or PA Dept of Health… My d had mice in her off-campus apartment while attending grad school at Tyler.

6

@heywhatisdown How have you gone about notifying the administration? Have you mentioned it to your RA, the House Dean and most importantly have you called Penn FRES (Penn Facilities and Real Estate Services)? you can put in an emergency service request. http://www.facilities.upenn.edu/services/maintenance-and-renovation

Be polite but very very insistent and stress the importance on your mental and physical health. If none of this works then have your parents give a serious call to Penn.

7

Email someone at the DP. Last year they did a 4 part series on the horrible job that residential maintenance does.See:
http://projects.thedp.com/2015/12/maintenance-mayhem/index.html
Perhaps they want to do another story.

8

You won’t cause any rift by complaining about this. They are in the wrong. Unfortunately, sometimes you need to repeat yourself a bit more; remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Sometimes they brush off student complaints because a) they can, and b) students can be very messy (be sure to say you keep the place clean).

I like the idea of photographs. A picture is worth a thousand words. I actually like all the ideas people are giving here.

It’s really unsanitary and unacceptable to live in this situation.Mice are dangerous because of their allergens and the diseases they carry. I myself get bad asthma with them.

9

You got featured in Under The Button (Penns humor/satire blog) hahah.

http://www.thedp.com/blog/under-the-button/2017/01/freshman-cc-mouse

10

Just want to add- if you read the Daily Penn link above and click on article segment #3 Leaking walls and slow response times http://projects.thedp.com/2015/12/maintenance-mayhem/index3.html

They (Maintenance) specifically say that they respond faster and more thorough if a PARENT complains rather than a student … they say if a parent is complaining they jump to respond… so GET YOUR PARENTS INVOLVED!!! It worked for us-

My son likes the quad but he has had major mold problems in his room we have only gotten action by directly contacting
Stephen Maurer 215 898 6886 He is the Housing residential maintenance manager for the Quad

Good luck!! Don’t give up!!! totally freaking with you…

11

Thank you everyone so much for your responses!! I really didn’t want to have to involve my parents, but I guess that’s the only way anything will get done. I’ll definitely pass this advice along to my parents, I so appreciate all of your meaningful responses. I especially love the idea of pictures.

12

@Penn95 wow cool, i feel special