My roommates and I got stuck in a back up converted motel dorm because they admitted too many freshman that housing could handle. Upon arrival the dorm smelled like mold and mildew. We also say some roaches both live and dead. I have been in the dorm for a couple of days and am starting to get sick. I am coughing and my throat is scratchy. We are trying to figure out where this damp smell is coming from and trying to get the moldy smell out. We have done a soft clean so far and will be doing a deep clean soon to see if we could cope until we get moved out. At this point we are contemplating calling dhec to shut this place down. The reason we are thinking about calling dhec is because the school told us last year that the apartments are fully renovated and everything is new and fixed properly. We feel cheated because our health is at risk. Should we call dhec or should we wait to see if they move us out. My mom is threatening to have me drop all my classes and file a complaint against the school for unsanitary conditions.
They need to move you out immediately, at least temporarily to deal with the mold and mildew. Roaches need to be treated and are probably a bigger problem than they would otherwise be due to the damp. Is there hotel nearby if space is not available in the dorms?
We have complained to the school. They are not sure if they have the space to move us because of how many freshmen were admitted to the college. At this point they said we would have to wait at least 2 months to move out. I know the school has an agreement with the local hotel if there is not enough housing. Upon move in day. We have to wait at least 2 months to see if they can even move us. I know that roof is leaking somewhere because the hallway were the laundry room is leaks horribly when it rains. Like I said I’m getting sick and my other roommates, one allergies are out of control and the other is having cold like symptoms as well.
Get your parents involved,. This is a health issue. If you have to live in a hotel until the dorm building is not leaking, the school should do it. I’m surprised this wasn’t handled during the summer.
Options I can think of if your complaints to the school aren’t working:
- You could get an outside expert opinion on the mold/mildew issue. If they find issues, you would have something solid to get leverage with the school. That costs money, though. But it could give you a firmer basis to get action.
- If you can see mold, take photos. I’d probably send them to the Dean or head of housing – doubt you will get any relief from lower down employees if you’ve already complained there.
- Don’t exaggerate or bring a lot of emotion into your communication. Stick to facts, preferably ones you have proof of.
- Tell them what you want. Ideally a real dorm assignment – but if they can’t give that, then an immediate move to a hotel that is not moldy and doesn’t have roaches.
I doubt the school would move kids to other private digs before the school saw the problem. The school should prioritize getting one of their staff there asap. You should have pics, if possible, to back you up.
Then the college would contract a specialist review.
The 2 month comment seems about waiting to see who drops out of dorm rooms.
Are you sure the school has not already inspected and disagrees there’s an issue? Do they think you just don’t like the arrangements?
What school is this? Message me if you don’t want to say but honestly I think colleges should be outed for things like this.
One college put students up on a moored cruise ship when they had dorm mold problems while they fixed it a few years ago. Near water, obviously. 
I just talked to my mom today and she said she is going to help me do something about it. My roommate’s advisor just told her that she should move immediately from where we currently stay. They had moved people out last semester for renovations but we can’t tell what was renovated. The kids that live next door to us just set off several bombs for roaches last night so we have to put in a work order to get out room sprayed. I’m about to take picture of our bathroom and stuff before I clean it since we found mold on the on the ceiling. We think they covered most of it up with fresh paint. At this point we are probably going to call dhec sometime this week since the housing department refuses to hear our complaints.
Good for you. Please keep us updated.
Update: my mom called the school and politely yelled at them yesterday. A bed suddenly opened up today and I’m transitioning out. A lot can’t be said for my other 2 roommates. I went to the health center and they gave me something to get through the rest of the week. I feel like the school knew about the issue. I’m still considering calling dhec to get the school to address the issue properly.
Ha! A life lesson.
@carolinagirl, I’m so glad that you are going to be able to be moved to a dorm. The lesson here is that sometimes parents have to step in to make things right, because school departments can attempt to ignore students. Your two other roommates will unfortunately have to suffer, unless they also get their parents involved.
DO consider calling DHEC to report the school. This just isn’t right. You are probably right in that the school knew about the issue. And chances are the school will continue to take advantage of (by affecting their HEALTH) unwitting students who don’t get their parents involved.