Mold Found in Tatem

By Stacey Axler

Mold in the basement of the Tatem Arts Center has been identified by Hood faculty and staff members.

College officials found black mold in the Avalon Performing Arts Studio, the performance space that features the black box theater for Hood College Theatre (HCT) productions, causing the temporary closing of the theater.

“I feel mad [that the black box theater] is closed.  I’m upset that [Hood] only noticed recently, because I feel like the problem has been there for a while,” said junior Billy Lewis, president of the Hood Improv Troupe.

The black mold found in the basement of Tatem led to the rescheduling of the HCT production of “Waiting for Godot.”  The fall play originally was scheduled to open on Oct. 31, but due to the loss of a performance space, the play was postponed to open on Nov. 10.

The Avalon Performing Arts Studio was sealed off in early October, and remains closed through November.

Charles Mann, vice-president  for finance and treasurer, said, “To ensure everyone’s safety, the college secured the affected areas and immediately hired a licensed hazardous waste contractor to remove all contaminated materials.”

“This abatement work continues and the space will be reopened only after the college has received testing results that the rooms are safe for occupancy,” added Mann.

Earlier this summer, Hood officials discovered asbestos in Price Auditorium, also located in Tatem.

In Price Auditorium, an HVAC unit leaked, which caused several ceiling tiles to fall.  After testing the materials, asbestos fibers were discovered, which caused the sealing off of this facility for several weeks.

“The room was subsequently retested and certified safe for occupancy pursuant to Federal and State guidelines.  As such, the room was reopened for use.  At no time were any building occupants in danger of exposure to the small amount of disturbed ceiling material,” Mann said.

Price Auditorium is now open and utilized by Hood students and faculty.

The closure of these rooms in Tatem concerns many students with the state of many of the academic buildings on campus.

“With the problems discovered in Tatem, sometimes I worry about the potential problems in other buildings on campus.  However, I feel that Hood does a good job at trying to fix problems once they are addressed,” said sophomore Brittany Gammel.

Hood officials are actively trying to fix the present mold problem in the Avalon Performing Arts Studio.

“Hood College is always concerned about the safety of students, faculty and staff.  Towards that end, the College must periodically close portions of the campus or buildings in order to address a safety issue,” Mann said.