Mysteriously exploding mold levels force evacuation of 270 University of Louisville students from dorm

[Emily]

Preliminarily identified as aspergillus and penicillium spores.

http://www.kypost.com/dpp/news/state...yMold_98341071

Mold discovered in dorm forces students to move out
Posted: 10/11/2012
By: BRUCE SCHREINER, Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville students living in one of the oldest residence halls on campus got abrupt notices to move out Wednesday after high levels of mold spores were found.

[snip]
The cleanup at Miller Hall will include a top-to-bottom search for the causes of the mold outbreak, officials said.

"In the first of September, none of this was here," Bressoud said. "Finding mold on hard surfaces a month later, something dramatically changed, and we're not sure what that is yet."

Read more: http://www.kypost.com/dpp/news/state...#ixzz29Anhvql7

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Re: Mysteriously exploding mold levels force evacuation of 270 University of Louisville students from dorm

University of Louisville

Mold Growth in Miller Hall

What UofL is doing to address the mold problem in Miller Hall

University of Louisville officials announced Oct. 10 that elevated levels of mold spores known as aspergillus and penicillium were found in a student residence hall. While these molds typically do not pose a health risk to most people, they can cause problems at elevated levels ? especially for those with respiratory problems such as asthma, allergies and those with high sensitivity to mold.
To ensure the well-being of our students and staff, the university has decided to close Miller Hall for extensive cleaning, remediation and source identification. At this time, we do not know when the building will reopen and are preparing for the possibility that it may remain closed for the remainder of the fall 2012 semester.

All students are asked to vacate the building by Friday evening, Oct. 12, and to remove all personal belongings by 6 p.m. Sunday evning, Oct. 14.

More information about the closing of Miller Hall is available below.

Information for students and parents

Instructions for moving out of your dorm room

Move out days are Thursday and Friday, Oct. 11 and 12. Details on the move out process are available here.

Students affected by the residence hall closing have been given a form to complete indicating their preferences for a new living arrangement. Options on the form include returning to your family home (for those from the Louisville area), moving off campus, moving into another affiliated UofL residence hall and staying at an area hotel in a block of rooms reserved for UofL students. All decisions will be made at the discretion of UofL?s housing staff. Students can use the information sheet to help prepare for the move. For help with moving (including packaging supplies and helping hands), students should contact their resident assistant, go the front desk in Miller Hall or call 502-852-1250.

Here?s a timeline for the move:

• Oct. 10 ? students who are returning to a family home or to an off campus location may begin to move out.
• Oct. 10 at 8:30 p.m. ? University Housing will complete relocation assignments. Students should go to the front desk of Miller Hall to find out where they will be going. Any assignments or changes after Oct 10 will be sent to students via email.
• Oct. 11 and 12 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ? Students move out. A moving company and university staff will be on site to answer questions and to help students move items from their rooms to their cars and to their new location. Packaging supplies also will be available.
• Oct. 13 ? Students may continue to move out (although it is recommended that students complete their move by Friday evening).
• Oct. 14 ? Miller Hall will be closed by 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14 and students will not be allowed to re-enter the building or their rooms after that time. It is important that they remove all personal items by this deadline.
• Oct. 25 ? last day to use complimentary laundry service. Details about this service sent to students via email.

Reimbursements for housing, meals and parking

• Housing - All students who are relocated to a more expensive campus affiliated housing option or placed in a hotel room will not be charged for the difference in housing costs. However, students who choose to return to their family home or off campus will be refunded part of their housing payment on a pro-rated basis.
• Meal Plan ? Students who move to another UofL-affiliated student housing unit or placed in a hotel room will be refunded part of their current meal plan prorated for the semester. However, the university is not going to remove the existing meal plan points or flex dollars from the student?s account. Students will be able to use the plan on campus. Those who return to a family home or move off campus will be adjusted to a commuter meal plan ($175 per semester) and receive a credit for the adjustment on a pro-rated basis.
• Parking ? Since students who have cars will still need a parking pass, students can continue to use their yellow parking permit. Those who wish to exchange their yellow permit for a less expensive purple permit and receive a refund for the difference in the cost can do so by contacting University Parking?s Doreen Wood at (502) 852-PARK (7275) for assistance.
• Laundry ? Housing will arrange for students to have access to use campus housing laundry facilities throughout the semester. Watch for details on this in your email account. Housing will help you arrange for laundry pick up, cleaning and return to your new location. You must request this service before Oct. 25, 2012. Details about reserving the service will be provided before Oct. 13 via email.
• Need more help? Contact our hotline at 502-852-1250 or send an email to vpba@louisville.edu

About the mold

Watch UofL officials discuss the mold issue at an Oct. 10 news conference.

The molds found on UofL?s campus ? aspergillus and penicillium ? are common. These molds typically do not pose a health risk. However, they can cause problems at elevated levels ? especially for those with respiratory problems such as asthma and severe allergies.

• Information about aspergillus and penicillium
• For general information from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention about molds, see http://www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm

Contacts

• Campus Community and parents - Call the hotline (hours: noon to 8 p.m. through Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012) at 502-852-1250 or send an email with your questions to vpba@louisville.edu
• Media ? contact Mark Hebert at 502-852-3133
• Emergency situations: Contact Campus Police at 502-852-6111

Next steps

The university is consulting with experts to address the mold issue in Miller Hall and is conducting additional tests around campus. Updated information will be available on this website.

http://louisville.edu/housing/mold/