Ignored Complaints Lead to Mold Buildup in Blanton

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Ignored Complaints Lead to Mold Buildup in Blanton

MSU The Montclarion Online - Upper Montclair Montclair,NJ*

Kristie Cattafi

http://media.www.themontclarion.org/media/storage/paper374/news/2008/

01/24/News/Ignored.Complaints.Lead.To.Mold.Buildup.In.Blanton-

3164967.shtml

When Shavon and Monika McCormick came back from winter break

to their dorm room in Blanton on Monday night, they were expecting

to return to a working bathroom, but instead they had to deal with

the problems of mold and a lack of running water.

and McCormick filed several complaints and work orders last

semester, the last of which was submitted in early December,

regarding the mold and smell coming from the bathroom. " When someone

came to check on it, they said it was just dust, " explained.

and McCormick also returned to a bathroom without a

showerhead and a toilet that wouldn't flush.

Plumbers and carpenters had been in and out of 's and

McCormick's room starting at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning. Both

girls took turns waiting in their room all day. Water seeped through

the floor of the bathroom into their room. In order to find the

problem, the plumber had to make a hole in the wall.

Tools were left all over 's and McCormick's room even while

no one was in the room working. " At least 10 different people have

come in and out of the room to work, " McCormick said.

Keyla Silva lives in the room next to theirs and shares the same

bathroom and inconvenience. " I had to brush my teeth this morning in

the bathroom downstairs next to the cafeteria. "

was unable to stay in her room last night because of the

bathroom conditions, so she stayed at a friend's house. " There was

mold growing on my shampoo and conditioner, it was so bad, " Silva

said, explaining their living conditions last semester.

Last semester, because of the complaints from the girls, someone

cleaned the bathroom and wiped everything down with bleach,

explained. " The smell from the bleach was so strong you could smell

it coming off of the elevator, " said.

When it was 's turn to stay in the room, she had to wait in

the hallway outside her room for a portion of the time. She

explained that the smell was horrible, but she did not want to leave

their room and belongings unsecured.

" I just don't think it's fair that my roommate and I have paid for

tuition in full and have to go through this, " McCormick said.

A carpenter working in the room was able to show where the

mold was on their ceiling and on the walls to help her identify it

in the future.

Walter Watkins, assistant vice president for facilities maintenance

and engineering, said that sheetrock and drywall was removed and

replaced from the bathroom. New panels and paint were added along

with the disinfecting and cleaning of the bathroom, he said.

Terry Giardino, assistant director of facilities and services, was

made aware of the room deficiencies at the end of last semester, at

which time the office of Residential Education and Services notified

the Physical Plant.

" The Office of Residential Education and Services continuously works

with the Physical Plant Department to assist them with the

prioritization of projects, and to ensure a safe and secure

environment for the students at Montclair State University, "

Giardino said.

" We are not required to call the Board of Health when mold is

found, " Watkins said.

McCormick, who has been filling out work orders about the mold since

November, said, " It's like no one cares; there is a lack of urgency

and priority. "

All the residents in the Blanton suite were offered alternative

housing. Two accepted, but when the water started working again,

both decided to stay in their room Tuesday night, according to

Giardino.

As of now, the situation with the mold is under control. " We just

want a nice and clean place to live in, " said .