 Media Credit: Katherine McGehee Rub-a-dub-dub: Katie Christie, a Bartlett,Tenn. freshman turns on the water in her mold-crusted shower. Christie said the water temperature is unpredictable in her dorm room in Lockmiller Apartments. Poor ventilation in the bathrooms causes an increase in mold on the shower walls and ceilings.
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Residents of Lockmiller Apartments battle mold, water and cabinetry damage, according to tenants.
Katie Christie, a Bartlett, Tenn., freshman said her apartment has had water leaks and mold problems all year.
"I had a bowlful of water on my bed from a water pipe that was leaking from the ceiling," Christie said.
Christie's roommate, Elizabeth Hofer, a Memphis, freshman said the mold infestation is at its worst in the bathroom.
According to Hofer, her mother scrubbed the shower walls with bleach and other cleaning supplies the day they moved into the dorms.
"My mom finally had to take a break from scrubbing because her hands were starting to hurt, and that is when I had to take over," Hofer said.
Along with mold problems, Hofer said she is dissatisfied with the unpredictable water temperatures while taking a shower.
"I just want a hot shower," Hofer said. "I wake up at 7:30 a.m. for an 8 a.m. class. I have one hour in between classes and I just want to be able to take a shower."
John Moser, a Clarksville, Tenn., freshman said problems in his Lockmiller apartment have cost him $150 in damages.
Moser said his kitchen cabinets became unscrewed and flipped onto the floor, breaking most of the glass plates and cups.
Moser said he was told by his resident director to clean the glass off the floor before maintenance came to make repairs.
"I don't know who else would clean it up," Moser said. "It's not like we have a cleaning crew here."
According to Moser, the housing department told him they are unsure whether they are able to reimburse him for the damages to dish ware.
Stephen Hood, director of housing, said the university cleans the apartments several times during the summer due to camps and visiting students touring the campus.
"Once a student occupies a room, we don't send anyone to clean it," Hood said. "When the school year starts, it's the student's responsibility."
Because of humidity, Hood said mold has been a problem. "Mold increases with humidity," Hood said.
Hood said that as a general rule, the university's insurance does not cover students' belongings.
"Usually it only covers major incidents totaling $20,000 to $25,000," Hood said.
Each summer the university hires different cleaning services for two deep cleaning sessions, beginning in May and ending in late July.
According to the specifications for maintenance services offered by Housing, deep cleaning involves sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, cleaning the bathroom and kitchen, carpet and upholstery cleaning, wiping down walls, removing mold and mildew.
Each building has different schedules for regular and carpet cleaning.
For more information on housing, resident assistant contact information and cleaning specifications, visit the university Web site at www.utc.edu/administration/studenthousing or call the Housing offices at (423) 425-4304.
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