BILL#: SEN-1-19

 

TITLE: Laurel-Hall Related

 

SPONSOR: Paige Shimer, Senator-At-Large (pshimer@vols.utk.edu)

DATE: January 29, 2019

 

Whereas, approximately 586 students residing in Laurel Hall were forced to relocate in the middle of the Fall 2018 semester due to mold, and

 

Whereas, students reported receiving conflicting information from multiple university resources regarding their housing, and

 

Whereas, mold is a common problem in older buildings such as many of the residence halls on UT campus, and

 

Whereas, mold can have adverse health effects to students with pre-existing health conditions, and

 

Whereas, relocation to off-campus locations can drastically change the day-to-day life of a student,

 

Be it hereby resolved, that in the case of an emergency impacting residences in on-campus residence halls, all information be relayed by a singular online source and a singular phone line to avoid confusion, and

 

Be it hereby resolved, that University Housing maintain yearly independent mold inspections in each residence hall and publish results to all students committed to live in resident halls, and

 

Be it hereby resolved, that University Housing maintain monthly mold inspections in each residence hall and publish the results to each residence hall’s respective residents, and

 

Be it hereby resolved, students who provide documentation to University Housing of pre-existing allergic rhinitis or asthma be given priority in dorms with the lowest mold counts post-inspection, and

 

Be it hereby resolved, students treated at the Student Health Center for mold-related health issues have any associated labs, bloodwork, or otherwise not covered fees be reimbursed, and

 

Be it hereby resolved, students who are relocated to off-campus housing be given the option to change an existing non-commuter parking pass for a commuter pass at a pro-rated price and be reimbursed for the difference, and

 

Be it hereby resolved, students who are relocated to off-campus housing be given the option to change to a different dining plan at a pro-rated price, covering only the difference in plan prices or being reimbursed for switching to a cheaper plan.

 

Sources:

1. https://news.utk.edu/2018/10/03/qa-laurel-hall-mold-remediation-and-student-relocation/
2. https://news.utk.edu/2018/10/03/ut-to-begin-mold-removal-in-laurel-hall/
3. https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/education/2018/10/03/nearly-600-ut-students-displaced-laurel-hall-due-mold-issues/1513580002/
4. http://newsenter.org/knoxville/2018/10/16/398154-ut-closes-laurel-hall-for-mold-to-relocate-nearly-600-students-3.html
5. https://newschannel9.com/news/local/ut-to-close-knoxville-dorm-over-mold-relocate-students
6. https://www.wate.com/news/local-news/ut-s-laurel-hall-to-close-for-mold-cleanup/1495330919