Health + Safety

On this page you will find resources around policies that impact life in the residence halls. For the full policy text, we encourage you to review the student handbook below. The policies for life in the residence halls are derived from local, state, and federal law (especially fire safety codes) and are enforced to assure safety of the community.

Planning for the Semester

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COVID-19 Student FAQs

Facts About Mold and Mildew

BARD OFFICE OF RESIDENCE LIFE AND HOUSING
Fact Sheet about Mold and Mildew

Bard’s Buildings & Grounds Department provides routine maintenance to prevent
maintenance and mold concerns, and Bard’s Environmental Services Department
cleans residence hall common areas on a daily basis. Buildings and residence hall
rooms are inspected multiple times per year.
If you believe that you have mildew or mold in your residence hall room, please
complete a work order as soon as possible so the issue can be addressed as quickly
and effectively as possible https://www.bard.edu/bandg/

What causes mold to grow?
Mold is a part of the natural environment that aids in the decomposition of leaves, trees,
and other natural outdoor organic materials. Individual mold spores are invisible to the
human eye and are continually floating around outside in nature. However, when those
spores make their way indoors and are exposed to wet/humid areas, they can begin to
grow or colonize. It is impossible to eliminate mold and mold spores in the indoor
environment due to the ingress and egress of daily human activity being carried in on
clothing, shoes, and backpacks.

Mold can grow on almost any material, as long as moisture and oxygen are present.
Maintaining indoor moisture and humidity levels between 30-60 percent will reduce the
likelihood of indoor mold growth. Unfortunately, controlling humidity in large, heavily
populated buildings is difficult, especially in hot humid and rainy weather.

Where is mold and mildew found?
Mold can be found almost anywhere and can grow on virtually any organic substance if
moisture and oxygen are present. The levels of airborne mold spores can vary from month to
month and day to day; are highly reliant on temperature, humidity, other seasonal factors in the
environment; and are not reliable indicators of an indoor dampness or mold problem. It is
impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores. However, since mold requires water to grow, it
is important to identify and prevent moisture problems in buildings to prevent active mold
growth.

Molds come in a variety of colors, including white, which is sometimes seen on a damp
carpet; pink, which is often found on shower walls; and darkly pigmented, which is often
seen around windowsills as a result of condensation. Given a source of moisture, mold
can grow just about anywhere. Moisture control, air circulation, and good cleaning
practices are necessary to control mold growth.

Are there state or national regulations regarding mold?
There are no federal or state regulations governing the presence of mold or mold spore
levels in buildings. There are also no health standards from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) or public health departments for concentrations of mold
spores in the indoor air. However, the presence of visible mold on indoor building
materials should be remediated.

State and federal agencies generally recommend the following measures to address mold and
moisture indoors:
• The best way to deal with mold in buildings is to identify and correct the source of water or
leak; then clean or discard and replace moldy building materials
• Vent bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside.
• Provide adequate and appropriate ventilation to avoid temperature and humidity conditions
that will lead to excess moisture.
• Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to
prevent mold growth.
• Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent and dry completely.
• Prevent the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls,
roof, or floor) by adding insulation.
• In areas where there is perpetual moisture, such as near fountains, by classroom sinks, or on
concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation, do not install carpeting.

Why not conduct mold testing?
Mold testing is not recommended in many cases. Instead, careful detailed visual
inspection and recognition of moldy odors should be used to find problems needing
correction. Efforts should focus on areas where there are signs of moisture or water
vapor (humidity) or where moisture problems are suspected. The investigation goals
should be to locate indoor mold growth to determine how to correct the moisture
problem and remove contamination safely and effectively.
The Department of Health, as well as the CDC and EPA, do NOT recommend testing as
there are no exposure-based standards to use for evaluation of the sampling results.

How does mold spread?
Most molds reproduce through the formation of spores, tiny, microscopic cells that are
resistant to drying and are released into the air. Airborne spores are found both indoors
and outdoors. Air circulation in a building varies throughout the day and depends on the
level of activity in that space. Mold spores are always present in both the indoor and
outdoor environment and can be carried in on clothing, backpacks, shoes, etc.
Is it safe for me to stay in my residence hall that currently has mold?
In most cases, the answer is yes. According to federal health and safety agencies, mold
growth is commonly found in both indoor and outdoor environments. Therefore, varying
levels of mold are around us at all times.

How does mold affect people?
• Some people are sensitive to mold and may experience short-term or acute
reactions in the presence of mold growth. Symptoms associated with mold
exposure are not unique and cannot be readily distinguished from symptoms
caused by other medical conditions, such as the common cold or seasonal
environmental allergies.
We recommend that you see your health care provider if you experience any health
concerns.

What is the inspection process to determine how to address any mold in
my residence?
A qualified team of B&G and/or ES respond to work orders. Staff will knock, enter, and
conduct a thorough visual inspection of furniture, wall, closets, and fan coil units to
check for any evidence of mold growth or other concerns, as well as take internal
temperature and humidity readings. If mold growth is found, staff will take appropriate
steps to clean or remediate.

What will be done if there is mold found in my room?
Measures will be taken to thoroughly clean and dry the area affected. This work may be
completed by staff and/or an outside contractor specializing in water cleanup. Staff will
return to check regularly on the progress until the situation has been resolved and may
instruct residents in ways to assist in that process. Due to the unique circumstances
around each situation, cases are managed independently with communication managed
by the Director of Residence Life.

Does the College conduct proactive inspections for mold?
Mold inspections within occupied spaces during the academic school year are only
conducted at the request of a work order. Proactive inspections occur regularly
throughout the year focusing on common areas in conjunction with the fire and life
safety inspections. Comprehensive building inspections during the summer between
conferences also occur each year.

Student Handbook

Fire Safety Policies

Electrical Equipment  
Only UL-compliant appliances may be used. Bard is an EPA Energy Star partner. Whenever possible, electrical items used on campus should have the Energy Star logo. The following electrical equipment may be used in student rooms: alarm clock, fan, hair dryer, computer, iron with automatic shut-off, radio, stereo, television, study lamp, humidifier, and combined microwave/refrigerator units rented from the Bard College-approved vendor. No other microwaves are allowed. The following may be used in suite and common area kitchenettes, but not in students’ rooms: coffee maker, popcorn maker, toaster oven, hot plate, hot pot, rice cooker, and individual microwave oven. Lighting should use compact fluorescent bulbs or LED bulbs to save energy and decrease the risk of fire. The following may not be used in any residence hall: any exposed coil heater, heating pad, portable heater (except those provided by the Office of Residence Life or Buildings & Grounds), candles, incense, air conditioners or extension cords. Surge protecting power strips plugged directly into a wall socket are permissible. Any prohibited item is subject to confiscation. Requests to use residence halls for art installations or projects, especially those that involve electricity or use of common space cannot be granted due to fire-code regulations.

Candles & Incense 
Candles and incense are prohibited on campus. Anyone found having a candle(s) or incense will incur at minimum a $50 (per candle or incense stick) fine with up to 5 hours of restitution to the community to a maximum fine of $500 per infraction and the items will be confiscated. Any student responsible for a fire started by a burning candle or incense may lose the privilege to live on campus and will be financially responsible for all associated damages. Burning of candles or incense within the Chapel of the Holy Innocents and the Center for Spiritual Life is prohibited. Battery-operated candles may be used if needed. If candles and/or incense are used for religious observances, you must get permission from the Chaplaincy at [email protected]

Ceiling and Wall Coverings  
In compliance with New York State law, ceiling coverings are expressly prohibited as they pose an additional fire hazard.

Flammable materials (including but not limited to photographs, posters, tapestries and other decorative items) may NOT be placed on any wall by the head, foot, side or ceiling of a bed. Half of the overall wall space must remain free from flammable items.

The College reserves the right to confiscate or remove any items affixed to the ceiling or on the walls by the head, foot or side of the bed.

Smoking 
Smoking, including vaping, is not permitted in the interiors of any buildings, nor on balconies, breezeways or decks of any buildings. Anyone found smoking in a prohibited area will be fined a minimum of a $150 with up to 5 hours of restitution to the community to a maximum of $500. Any student responsible for a fire started from smoking, or improper disposal of smoking materials may lose the privilege to live on campus and will be financially responsible for all associated damages.   Evidence of smoking/vaping indoors (i.e covering of smoke detector, strong odor of smoke, cigarette ashes on the windowsill) may be subject to a fine.

Holiday Decorations  
Cut trees are not permitted in residence hall rooms or common spaces as they cannot be properly treated with flame retardant solutions. Any decorations must be flame retardant by checking tags or wrappers prior to their purchase. Decorations must not be placed in front of exits and covering doors. All lights must be tagged as having been approved by Underwriters Laboratories. Discard damaged light sets (frayed wires, loose connections, broken/cracked sockets). All electrical decorations must be unplugged when unattended.   

The use of open flame, such as candles and incense is strictly prohibited. However, if a student is seeking permission to use candles or incense for religious observances, they are encouraged to contact the Chaplaincy (ext. 6080) to seek alternate locations on campus. Winter seasonal holiday decorations composed of food items should be removed and disposed of before leaving campus for Winter Break.

Health + Safety

Planning for the Semester

Facts About Mold and Mildew

Facts About Mold and Mildew

Student Handbook

Fire Safety Policies

Residence Life and Housing