St. Norbert College (File Photo)
DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Some St. Norbert College students are out of their dorm rooms after mold was discovered in one of the residence halls.
It comes less than three weeks after students started the fall semester.
More than 150 St. Norbert College students have had to pack up and move after mold was discovered last week in the mechanical system of Gries Hall.
“I was not very happy, but I mean I feel like they have to clean it for us to be able to live there. So it’s understandable, but at the same time it’s frustrating,” said Charlie Kaftan, a St. Norbert College junior.
Students living at Gries said moving out because of the mold has been a big inconvenience.
“I guess I was a little bit disappointed that we had to move out, but I was also a little bit scared, I guess, for my health and stuff like that. So I don’t know how long it’s been there, but it’s definitely a cause for concern,” said Ryan Hoffmeyer, a St. Norbert College senior.
Others aren’t as concerned and are happy the mold was caught early.
“I’m just glad we’re on top of things, like getting it figured out. Like I’d rather move and then move back as opposed to live somewhere with mold for like a whole bunch of weeks,” said Ryan Flood, a St. Norbert College senior.
Flood said he’s happy with the college’s response, even saying displaced students were given $500 to cover meals.
In a statement, the college said:
The health, safety and well-being of our students is St. Norbert College’s highest priority. On Friday, September 4, St. Norbert College learned of mold in the Gries Hall mechanical system. A licensed mold remediation company was retained immediately to inspect the area, assess the situation and determine the appropriate next steps.
Out of an abundance of caution and as part of our commitment to providing a safe living environment, the College immediately began working to relocate Gries Hall residents to other campus housing while professional testing and remediation are completed. We are working closely with students to ensure they have the accommodations, resources, and support they need during this temporary relocation. St. Norbert College is also working with remediation professionals to ensure the building is appropriately evaluated and that any necessary corrective measures are completed before students return.
St. Norbert College has been in communication with the De Pere Health Department, which supports the measures the College is taking to address the situation.
We appreciate our students’ and families’ patience and cooperation as we work through this process. We will continue to keep impacted students and families informed as remediation progresses and will provide additional information as it becomes available.
On Thursday morning, mold removal specialists could be seen working at Gries Hall.
St. Norbert is also working closely with the De Pere Health Department on the matter.
“Mold presence alone is not synonymous with a health concern. So mold is common, both indoors and outdoors,” said Chrystal Woller, De Pere Health Department Health Director. “Mold affects different people in different ways.”
Woller said so far, there have been no reported illnesses from this incident.
Students said they just want their rooms safe when they return.
“Hopefully when we move back in, there’s no mold,” Kaftan said.
It’s not clear when remediation will be complete, but some students think it could be six weeks before they get to move back in.
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