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Health

While we do all that we can to support the healthiest habits in the halls, residents must take personal responsibility for their spaces. This page provides some tips and advice to keep your space clean and healthy.

Room Inspections

Once each semester, the residence hall staff will conduct health and safety inspections. Notice will be posted at least 24 hours in advance. These inspections are designed to protect you from conditions that may be harmful to the community. If there are unsafe or unhealthy conditions in your room, you will be asked to correct these. During health and safety inspections, staff members may not open closed closets, drawers, refrigerators, or luggage. If you feel like your room has been inspected inappropriately, contact your community’s Coordinator of Residence Life and Education.

Tips for Improving Air Quality

According to the EPA, there is no practical way to eliminate all mold and fungal spores in an indoor environment. Mold spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When the fungal spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin reproducing, creating an environment for mold to form. Mold can be found almost anywhere, and can grow on virtually any substance where moisture is present. Along with damp conditions and a necessary food source such as wood, dry-wall, fabrics carpet, groceries, etc., mold may grow. The way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture, which requires diligence living in Florida.

Here is what you can do to reduce the potential of mold indoors

Water problems or leaks should be reported, identified, and corrected as soon as possible. These include dripping pipes, leaks, floods, and rainwater coming in through windows, etc. Submit work orders by clicking here.

In order to reduce the possibility of spores reproducing, relative humidity indoors should be kept at or near 60%. In order to accomplish this, all residential students should:

  • Keep thermostat fan setting on “AUTO”
  • Keep all wet clothing in a plastic bag or plastic covered bin to keep moisture contained.
  • Your best bet is keep up on your laundry.
  • Wet shoes/hats should be dried before they are put away.
  • Do not attempt to control temperature by blocking the air supply or opening windows!
  • Dry all personal belongings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
  • Keep the bathroom door closed at all times. The ventilation system in the bathroom is designed to take moisture out and keep it out of the bedrooms. Leaving the door open will allow moisture into the room.
  • Keep thermostat set at or near 72 degrees. It is optimal to keep the system running, but if it is too cold, relative humidity will rise and condensation may form.
  • Keep wet towels in the bathroom to dry them and keep moisture from migrating into the bedroom.
  • In warmer temperatures, keep the windows closed. Open windows allow moisture levels to rise, condensation to form and mold to grow in your room.

If you observe mold present in your room, it should be reported immediately by submitting a work order here.

For more in-depth information on mold visit EPA Mold Resources.