Move-in day did not run as smoothly as planned for thirty-two students, who were relocated from Davidson-Wilson (DW) due to a last-minute discovery of mold in several dorm rooms.

During a walk-through inspection of Davidson-Wilson in preparation of opening day, Residence Life & Housing discovered large amounts of “wet ceiling tiles…dampness and mold,” according to Dean and Interim President Weissman in an official newsletter sent to the Dickinson community on August 21.  The severity of the mold prompted Facilities Management and the Office of Risk Management to enforce a total evacuation of the building.

A total of thirty-two students were relocated. Eleven students stayed at Fairfield Inn & Suites Hotel in Carlisle for two nights, and the remainder were relocated to on-campus housing. Other students, though their rooms were not affected, were moved as a precautionary measure. The majority of students affected were early arrival fall athletes, international students and pre-orientation program participants.

A handful of students are currently still in transition-limbo back to their dorms. “Some rooms are still being remediated,” said Kristen Kostecky, Head of Facilities Management. “Those students are still in their temporary assignments.” Fairfield Inn confirmed that there are no longer Dickinson students staying there.

Head of Residence Life and Assistant Dean of Students Angie Harris assured that “Residence Life & Housing is focused on the students who have been displaced: checking in on them and communicating with them the latest updates.”

Most of the mold was located in the connector wing, a relatively new addition constructed in the hall about ten years ago. External contractors from Paul Davis Restoration, Inc. were tasked to the situation. Also recruited was the campus’s independent industrial hygienist, Aether.

According to the August 21 campus newsletter, the mold is likely the result of “unusually high humidity and condensation” this past summer. Participants of summer programs who lived in the dorms through August 8 did not officially report any issues.

The Resident Advisors of Davidson-Wilson declined to comment.

This is not the first time Dickinson College has faced intermittent mold issues, the most recent being a far wider outbreak in academic and administrative buildings just last summer.

Students who notice any suspected mold in their room should report it to Facilities Management at 717-245-1212 or submit a work order via the Self-Service Banner.