Quindecim

Issue date: 10/8/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Billie Weiss

On Sunday, September 28 all 94 Goucher residents of the Dulaney Valley Apartments were e-mailed and told they would not be moving into the unfinished Quarter, but would be moved out of their apartments immediately due to confirmed rumors of a bed bug infestation.

The infestation only added to the frustrations of Goucher DVA residents, many of whom did not wish to live off-campus in the first place.

Last year, all forced-triple rooms were made into doubles, to adhere to fire safety policies and student comforts.

This lead to a lack of housing space for about 100 upperclassmen, who were told they would be living in the Quarter, the unfinished apartment complex across the street from Goucher.

When this semester began, it was clear the Quarter was not finished. Residents were temporarily housed in DVA, with the promise that they would be moved in by October 1, a deadline that was eventually pushed back to January 2009.

"This is just a nightmare for us all," said President Sandy Ungar at a town hall meeting last Wednesday.

"Let me begin with an apology. We're sorry we're here," he said. "I'm disillusioned with some of the things that have happened. I believe we should accept responsibility. We trusted people who were not worthy of our trust. We care deeply about our students and their well-being," he said.

Students were moved out of the DVA apartments for fear of a possible bed bug epidemic. Vice president and dean of students Gail Edmonds prepared a bed bug information sheet for all DVA residents on how to best detect the bugs and proper cleaning techniques.

"After consulting with other schools and biology professors, we've determined that [the bed bug problem] is only at the tip of the iceberg. [The bugs] are probably in the walls and wirings of the apartments. We find that unacceptable," said director of community living Scott Eckhardt.

Currently, there are only three confirmed apartments with bed bugs: DVA 903, DVC 901 and the Sutherly apartment, though there are more apartments with reports.

"Our room was inspected and they said they didn't find any bed bugs, but we definitely have them," Jeremy Chase-Israel '10 said. "It's not like we're biting ourselves. I have to sleep in a chair with a hoodie on. We have bed bugs, it's just not officially confirmed."

Students will not be able to move into the Quarter because construction is not finished, despite promises from Quarter representatives.

Continued...

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