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

We look forward to welcoming you back to campus! You'll find detailed guidance on travel requirements, testing, quarantine, and more on the COVID-19 Response website.

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

Social Media Guidance

BARD COLLEGE SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDANCE FOR STUDENTS

Bard College recognizes the value and importance of social media, as well as the opportunities it provides for communication, networking, and learning. Sites and applications such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat offer great opportunities to connect and explore, but the risks they present are often ignored or not recognized. It is important to recognize that online conduct is governed by the same laws, policies, and rules of conduct that apply to all other activities. Bard College urges students to be aware of the potential risks when making personal information public, to think through the future implications and possible consequences of all posts, and to make safe and thoughtful decisions when using social media.

THE INTERNET IS REAL … AND SOMETIMES FOREVER
Your online life is real life. Your online activity affects other people’s lives in big and small ways. Once you make a post online, you may lose control of it, even if you quickly delete it. Other people can save or screenshot your post, repost it, or share your post with other people without your permission. Your post can be cached by search engines or picked up by a media outlet. Once you make a post, it might be around forever, regardless of your wishes.

THINK ABOUT THE PERSONAL INFORMATION YOU SHARE ONLINE
Social media has blurred the line between public and private information. Some sites allow individuals to post phone numbers, class schedules, locations, and birth dates, but you should be extremely careful about what information you share online. Be aware that personal information shared online could be used for stalking and identity theft. Remember that people you don’t know may be reading your posts. Use and understand the privacy settings on social media sites, but be aware that all online posts—even nonpublic ones—have the potential of being widely distributed.

COLLEGE POLICY APPLIES
Bard College policies apply to students’ online conduct. College staff members do not “police” online social networks and the College is firmly committed to the principle of free speech. However, when the College receives a report of online conduct by a current Bard student implicating College policy (such as harassment or stalking), it can respond in accordance with the provisions of all relevant College policies including, but not limited to, the Student Handbook, Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment, and Gender-Based Misconduct Policy. This is true even when a student posts to a personal social media account using their own phone or computer while off campus or during a break. The College has the right to discipline students for misconduct wherever it occurs, including online.

FEDERAL AND STATE LAW APPLIES
Information you post online can be used in criminal prosecutions and civil lawsuits. You are responsible for the content of your posts. Be aware of copyright protections and seek permission before reposting someone else’s content. Be careful when posting unverified information about another person. You can be sued for defamation or libel if you make posts about another person that they believe to be false or damaging. To reduce the risk of liability, the College recommends that you do not use social media to harass, threaten, insult, or defame another person or entity; or to engage in any unlawful act, including unauthorized access, identity theft, or other types of fraud. You are also responsible for complying with the terms of service of any social media service that you use.

YOUR POSTS HAVE IMPACT
What you post online can affect you and other people in profound ways, both positive and negative. Be aware that there are people on the other side of the words and images that you post. Before posting, consider the size of your audience and who may be affected by it.

THINK TWICE BEFORE POSTING
Once something is out there, it’s out there. Even items you delete can remain on the Internet for years, or be seen or saved by another person before you delete it. It’s important to realize that anything you post to social media, regardless of the privacy setting utilized, may become available to an unintended audience, such as College administrators, current or prospective employers, graduate school admissions officers, family members, and others. If you’re not absolutely sure you want it read, don’t post it. Also keep in mind that context, tone, and jokes can be misunderstood or overlooked online, so choose your words carefully and don’t hesitate to take a conversation offline.

FUTURE EMPLOYMENT AND APPLICATIONS
Your digital footprint is larger than you are. Employers often search for information regarding prospective employees online. Information posted on personal websites and social networking sites may be available or accessible, even when privacy settings are used. When posting online, think about who may look at your online presence in the future and what you want them to find.

GET PERMISSION BEFORE SHARING
Think twice before sharing other people’s information, posts, and pictures. It is good practice to obtain permission before sharing other people’s content and before you post about them. Practice good social media etiquette by crediting other users—particularly artists, writers, and photographers—when you share their content. Nonconsensual posting or sharing of sexual images or videos is completely prohibited

USE OF PSEUDONYMS
People often mask their identities online by using pseudonyms or handles other than their real names. Be aware that pseudonymity is not necessarily the same thing as anonymity, and that there are a variety of ways that posts can be traced back to their authors, even when posted using a pseudonym. You may want to use a pseudonym to protect your online privacy, which is not a bad idea, but don’t think using a pseudonym enables you to make posts that will never be connected with your real name.

THINK CRITICALLY ABOUT WHAT YOU CONSUME ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media provides a valuable channel of new information, but be aware that not all information is accurate or true. Read closely, scrutinize claims and information, check sources and authors, consider the tone of the text, conduct your own research, talk to people offline, read more than one source or viewpoint, and assess the original source of the information.

TIME MANAGEMENT
Many students are unaware of how much time they spend on social networking sites and the impact this may have on academics and other student activities. If concerned about your use, call the Center for Student Life and Advising (x7454) or the Counseling Center (x7433).

This Guidance has been adapted in part from Oberlin College Guidelines on Electronic Social Networking. February 2018

Health + Safety

Planning for the Semester

Facts About Mold and Mildew

Facts About Mold and Mildew

Student Handbook

Social Media Guidance

Residence Life and Housing