Troubled UT-San dorm shut down again because of mold problem

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Hotels are home for students

Troubled UT-San dorm shut down again because of mold problem

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Monday, August 26, 2002

SAN ANTONIO -- About 120 students were allowed to move into the Chisholm

Hall dormitory at the University of Texas at San on Sunday as work

continued to eradicate mold discovered in the building. At least that many

students are expected to move in today, but some will have to spend as much

as a week in area hotels.

The mold was discovered about three weeks ago. Inspectors noticed a wall

collapsing inside one of the rooms at the 262-room dormitory, the same

residence hall that evacuated about 450 students in May 2001 because of the

presence of stachybotrys, a greenish-black slimy mold that can cause

respiratory problems.

Officials don't think last year's mold trouble and this year's are related.

" Based on what I know, I don't believe there's a connection between the

two, " said Jim Short, president of Century Campus Housing Management Inc.,

the Houston-based company that manages the building.

Last year, it took nearly three months to clear out the infestation.

Students had to leave two days before final exams were to begin, and the

hall wasn't open again until the following August.

This year, students scheduled to live on the dorm's first floor were

notified by mail about the problem. The rest of the students received phone

calls Friday when officials realized that their rooms weren't going to be

ready by check-in time Saturday.

Wallboard was replaced and walls painted in 140 rooms, but the

air-conditioning ducts in all 262 rooms had to be cleaned, causing the

delay, officials said.

" It started with the rain in July. Water penetrated the walls around the

windows, " Short said.

Classes begin today. Many students agreed that it's fun living in a hotel,

but they also said it can be an inconvenience.

Instead of unloading at Chisholm Hall, is Amaya, an 18-year-old freshman

from Friendswood, near Houston, was issued a room at the Comfort Inn.

" I wanted to move in. I wanted to get it all in one trip -- get settled, "

Amaya said.

She left her computer at home. Her parents will bring it on the next trip,

when Amaya moves for the second time.

There will be shuttle service from the hotels to campus, as well as maid

service and free continental breakfasts.