BY ERICH MESLIN
Photo Credit: Stonehill College
While students may be concerned about mold in some dorms, campus tests apparently show they shouldn’t worry.
“In the last three years, we have done 42 air quality tests on campus. All of the 42 tests came back with acceptable results,” Robert J. MacEachern, the associate director of Building Services at Stonehill College, said.
Students have reported mold in buildings throughout campus including Bogan Hall, the colonial courts, the Holy Cross Center, and other buildings.
“I have experienced mold throughout my college career in not one but two of my dormitories, O’Hara and Cascino,” Emma Casey ’24, said.
Why is mold in college dorms so common?
Mold typically needs two basic things to begin growing, a food source and a water source.
Any indoor environment, including college housing, could be the perfect place for a colony to begin growing.
A mold colony can collect food from organic particles floating in the air, structural components, and student belongings.
Moisture is the missing component, which can be found in leaky pipes, faucets, shower heads, and air conditioners.
Together these two components create multiple opportunities for containment growth.
Stonehill College facilities department follows a strict procedure to reduce the possibility of mold growth on campus, MacEachern said.
“Carpet cleaning in the residence halls start the day after the students leave. We follow an aggressive schedule, as to have all residence halls complete before the humidity of summer arrives,” MacEachern said.
“There are areas on campus that are not used as frequently as other buildings. To help control these areas we set up both air handlers and dehumidifiers to circulate air and also reduce the humidity levels in these areas,” he said.
Humidity levels play a pivotal role in preventing the growth of mold, it is recommended to maintain 35 – 50% humidity indoors to stop the spread.
“Both air handlers and dehumidifiers are used across the campus when needed during the summer. With outside doors propped open and all the student rooms open while moving in, it is very hard for the HVAC system to control the proper temperature and humidity,” MacEachern said.
Students have speculated on the cause of the mold.
“I think the mold in Corr is caused by the lack of air flow in the dorm buildings, it can get gross very quickly,” Nicholas Crespo ’26, said.
“I feel like it’s a constant battle for us in Corr because the air condition creates moisture that gets trapped and could turn into mold,” James Duffy Artz ’26, said.
Corr is one of the buildings on Stonehill College’s campus that offers AC to residents.
Students have the power to take matters into their own hands and prevent the spread of mold by taking simple precautions.
“It is important that windows and room doors remain closed while operating the AC. Both buildings with and without AC, using a fan in the room will help by keeping air movement in the room and reduce air quality issues,” MacEachern said.
MacEachern said Facilities has the resources to help students avoid getting mold in their rooms.
“If you have a spill in your room, please reach out to Facilities and we can clean the spill properly. This is more important if your room is carpeted. A spill not cleaned properly can cause issues with mold. If you have a refrigerator in your room not being used, please clean the inside of the refrigerator before storing unplugged. An unused refrigerator not cleaned properly will grow mold,” he said.
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