TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- Imagine sleeping in a bed with moldy sheets and having trouble finding clothes that don't have mold on them. That's the situation sophomore Kelsy Conaghan found herself in.
Conaghan provided WTXL with cell phone video she recorded in her room, showing pockets of what look to be mold on the walls and area near her bed. She also took pictures of her clothes and laundry with mold stains on them.
Conaghan contacted University Housing to report the mold. Maintenance checked her room that day and made an effort to get rid of it. However, she said not much had been done to help her find a better place to stay. She claimed the presence of mold has given her more than just a headache.
"I've had a runny nose now. I've kinda had a little bit of a cough," Conaghan said. "My eyes have been itchy and watery. You feel unhealthy and you feel really unheard, because I'm telling them that this is an issue. My parents are telling them, and they're really not doing anything."
Shannon Staten, FSU's executive housing director, said maintenance removed as much mildew as they saw. They also put in a dehumidifier and fixed a dripping sink that added moisture to the room.
Staten said mold is a common issue in dorms this time of year, but she hasn't gotten any significant reports before Conaghan's. She encourages students to be as cautious as possible to keep mold from getting out of control.
"We try really hard to keep on top of the cleaning and on the temperature control and ask students to kind of help us in that sense, and if they will do that, it will help them keep it a little lower," Staten said.
Staten said the thermostat in Conaghan's room was set at a high temperature, which allowed mold to grow more quickly. Maintenance adjusted the thermostat when they inspected the room.
FSU Housing said maintenance checked the room just before WTXL approached the office. Maintenance crews found the mold presence had gone down significantly. Staten said her team will work with Conaghan and her roommate to resolve any other issues that may arise.
UPDATE: Conaghan said she has been reassigned to live in another dorm but cannot afford the difference in cost for the new room. She has been staying in the same room in Smith Hall and is working with the university to get compensation for that cost difference.
