By Stacey Axler<\/p>\n
Mold in the basement of the Tatem Arts Center has been identified by Hood faculty and staff members.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel mad [that the black box theater] is closed.\u00a0 I\u2019m upset that [Hood] only noticed recently, because I feel like the problem has been there for a while,\u201d said junior Billy Lewis, president of the Hood Improv Troupe.<\/p>\n
The black mold found in the basement of Tatem led to the rescheduling of the HCT production of \u201cWaiting for Godot.\u201d\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
The Avalon Performing Arts Studio was sealed off in early October, and remains closed through November.<\/p>\n
Charles Mann, vice-president\u00a0 for finance and treasurer, said, \u201cTo ensure everyone\u2019s safety, the college secured the affected areas and immediately hired a licensed hazardous waste contractor to remove all contaminated materials.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis abatement work continues and the space will be reopened only after the college has received testing results that the rooms are safe for occupancy,\u201d added Mann.<\/p>\n
Earlier this summer, Hood officials discovered asbestos in Price Auditorium, also located in Tatem.<\/p>\n
In Price Auditorium, an HVAC unit leaked, which caused several ceiling tiles to fall.\u00a0 After testing the materials, asbestos fibers were discovered, which caused the sealing off of this facility for several weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe room was subsequently retested and certified safe for occupancy pursuant to Federal and State guidelines.\u00a0 As such, the room was reopened for use.\u00a0 At no time were any building occupants in danger of exposure to the small amount of disturbed ceiling material,\u201d Mann said.<\/p>\n
Price Auditorium is now open and utilized by Hood students and faculty.<\/p>\n
The closure of these rooms in Tatem concerns many students with the state of many of the academic buildings on campus.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the problems discovered in Tatem, sometimes I worry about the potential problems in other buildings on campus.\u00a0 However, I feel that Hood does a good job at trying to fix problems once they are addressed,\u201d said sophomore Brittany Gammel.<\/p>\n
Hood officials are actively trying to fix the present mold problem in the Avalon Performing Arts Studio.<\/p>\n
\u201cHood College is always concerned about the safety of students, faculty and staff.\u00a0 Towards that end, the College must periodically close portions of the campus or buildings in order to address a safety issue,\u201d Mann said.<\/p>\n
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