With a record number of new students enrolled this semester at Buffalo State, some students are being housed at the Canisius College campus on Main Street. In this Focus on Education report, WBFO's Eileen Buckley says both schools are working to respond to complaints of poor dorm conditions.
"My ceiling in my suite is falling and there's a lamp where it has fallen at. It's very unsanitary," said
Iraida Rodriguez is a sophomore transfer student from Brooklyn. She is among the 1,900 newly enrolled students at Buffalo State, but the school has run of out dorm space and turned to Canisius College for help.
Rodriguez is housed on Main Street across from Sister's Hospital. She suspects mold in the shower, discovered broken items and dirty conditions.
"We've looked up what mold looks like and we are not too sure, but it looks like mold in the showers. In carpets, we've seen bugs," said Rodriguez.
"There is no mold," said Dr. Terri Mangione, vice president of Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Canisius.
Mangione said the building is old and they are dealing with water damage and a burst pipe. She says repairs for the water damage will be conducted this Friday.
"I believe the building they're concerned about is Campion Hall. It smells a little musty because of the water issue," stated Mangione.
Mangione says they're working to respond to student complaints as quickly as possible. Canisus has an electronic work order system that students have access to. Rodriguez did admit some things have been taken care of in her room.
"They just recently, after our complaints and calling them frequently, fixed certain things," said Rodriguez.
Buffalo State's vice president of Student Affairs Hal Payne has reached out to the director of Residents Life and Associate director of Housing learning students concerns about cleanliness.
"My understanding is that the problems with sanitation in the bathrooms have been addressed in Campion Hall," said Payne. "I'm told that these problems have been addressed, and so I will definitely check to make sure the information I'm getting is consistent with reality."
Some of these same students are also complaining about slow shuttle service from the Main Street to Buffalo State on Elwmood Avenue. Rodriguez said sometimes they are late for class.
"Buses run late all the time, mostly, and sometimes we understand it's traffic and stuff," said Rodriguez. "We have classes as well this is our education, this is our money." Payne is concerned about shuttle service. He says what they've learned is sometimes the service arrives early leaving s before students arrive for pick up.
"We have asked the bus company to be very careful about that. and not only avoid being late, but try to avoid leaving early. The advice we've given students is arrive at the pointed place a little bit early, rather than on-time," said Payne.
Some students were circulating a petition on campus in response to shuttle service and dorm conditions, but both colleges assured us they are working together to make improvements.