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

Room Assignments and Changes

Room Selection Each Spring semester, current students participate in Room Selection. This annual event is the process through which students are assigned on-campus housing based on policies, procedures and student recommendations that are continually evolving as students’ needs change and residence space is redefined. To participate in Room Selection, students must be financially cleared, meaning a student’s current account shows a zero balance.

The Bursar continually updates and closely communicates with the Office of Residence Life & Housing about financial matters that may affect a student participating in Room Selection. Students must resolve all financial and class-credit matters with the Bursar and the Registrar before participating in Room Selection.

Typically in late April, students are assigned random numbers according to their Room Selection class level. The Room Selection class level is determined based on credits earned/accumulated at Bard, and is reflected on the student’s account as determined by the Registrar’s Office. Eligible credits earned from another college/university that transferred to Bard as well as those earned through the Bard High School Early College program are also considered. Room Selection numbers cannot be traded or reassigned to another student. This number determines the order in which a student selects a room. Students are assigned Room Selection numbers based on their “rising” class status. For example, current Sophomores (as determined by credits earned, not by years in college) are considered rising Juniors. More detailed information sessions are offered during the Room Selection process.

Students should not participate in Room Selection if they intend to transfer, take a leave of absence or move off campus the following year.

The high demand for on-campus housing necessitates that all spaces be fully occupied. In the event a roommate with whom a student selected a room does not return, the space will be filled by a student from the To Be Assigned (TBA) list, a student requesting a room change, a new student, or a transfer student. Whenever possible students will be contacted by the Office of Residence Life & Housing and asked about preferences for a new roommate. Student input is an important factor in how that space is filled, and students are encouraged to be proactive about working out amenable solutions. Students may also have the option of moving to another space, again in consultation with the Office of Residence Life & Housing.

Additional detailed information regarding Room Selection is sent to all students via Bard email prior to Room Selection. The same information is available via the Office of Residence Life & Housing website at https://www.bard.edu/reslife/ Information sessions for Room Selection will also be held during the Spring semester.

Room Changes   Students who request a change in their housing assignment may do so by meeting with the appropriate Area Coordinator and completing a Room Change Request form. Room changes are not considered until after the first two weeks of the semester and are limited by room availability. Students should not assume a room change will be granted upon request. Students who switch rooms without the consent of the Office of Residence Life & Housing are charged a $100.00 improper room change fee.

The Director of Residence Life and Housing uses discretion to determine what changes should be made in order to facilitate the appropriate housing of the maximum number of students or to address special needs. It is incumbent on the student to be available to discuss these changes. Unless otherwise agreed to by the Office of Residence Life & Housing, all students must complete room changes within 72 hours or risk losing permission to change their room. Completing a room change also includes returning the keys from the previous space. If a student does not return keys to the Buildings & Grounds department within 24 hours of picking up a new set of keys, the student will be charged for a lock change and key replacement. Room changes may be made in emergency situations at the discretion of the Office of Residence Life & Housing.

Room Consolidation Policy Any open space in college housing may be filled at the discretion of the Office of Residence Life & Housing. Whenever possible, residents with open spaces in their room are informed before someone is placed in the space. Although this resident cannot deny another student the vacant space within a room, decisions are made in consultation with current residents, and their concerns are taken into account when appropriate and possible. Any student with a vacancy in their room who is found to deliberately delay or prevent a person from moving may face relocation or other disciplinary measures. A student with a vacancy may not rearrange furniture (e.g. move two beds together, place possessions throughout room) in order to prevent/deny another student from accessing or moving comfortably into the room.

Students are strongly encouraged to be proactive regarding their housing and not allow small issues to grow into larger ones. It is not always possible to be moved when a student wants to be moved. The earlier a problem is brought to the attention of the Residence Life & Housing staff the earlier efforts can be made to resolve the conflict in an agreeable manner. A student requesting a room change because of conflicts with a roommate or other residents must first discuss the situation with a Peer Counselor (PC), who can provide mediation or refer the situation to the appropriate Area Coordinator. The Area Coordinator will determine if mediation should be continued or if a room change is warranted.

Room Swap   Students must have permission from the Office of Residence Life & Housing to swap rooms. First-year students may only swap with other students in doubles or triples in designated first-year buildings. Students must meet with the Area Coordinator before any room-swap requests are honored. No room swaps are honored until the Monday following the end of the first two weeks of classes. In any circumstance involving multiple occupancy rooms, everyone involved must indicate approval of the room swap in writing. Students who switch rooms without the consent of the Office of Residence Life & Housing are fined $100 and risk losing permission to participate in the next Room Selection.