College campuses are often known to be dirty. Mold is only one of the various health concerns that can arise in college residential living. In a 2023 investigative report, The Nation reported that over 180 cases of mold in college dorms have been reported since 2023. This fall, at least two of the reports of mold made by Ithaca College students were attended to by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety.

But students often do not know the difference between harmful mold and mold that may not pose health issues. Some types of mold are toxigenic, which means they can produce toxins but may not immediately pose a risk. Mold is often a signifier of problems with filtration and water systems, which should be brought to the attention of maintenance and facilities. Students have been trained to react when they witness mold, but a fear-based response is not a productive one.

The college’s students are mandated to live on campus through their junior year. The cost of on-campus housing for the 2024–25 academic year ranges from $9,000 to $13,000 depending on the type of room and accommodation. Across the nation, the cost of campus living has risen exponentially for the past 30 years.

Both of these factors mean that students have less autonomy in their housing choices and are paying a hefty price for these accommodations. It is the responsibility of students to keep their spaces clean, but oftentimes mold infestations and bacteria are not relegated to a single section or room.  It is not unreasonable for students to advocate for cleaner, healthier standards across the board. Students should be proactive in reporting maintenance or other issues to their respective departments — but it is also the responsibility of the college to ensure that students are receiving quality accommodations. Creating a collectively clean space is the responsibility of the entire campus community.

According to the American Cleaning Institute, three out of four college students reported that they were “not prepared” to fully clean their spaces. The cleanliness of dorms, per College Stats, varies based on gender. The organization said in a 2022 report that on average, mens’ dorms that were tested had six times more bacteria than womens’ dorms.

According to an Oct. 21 email from President La Jerne Terry Cornish and Board of Trustees Chair John Neeson ’84, tuition for the 2025–26 academic year will increase by 4.2% while room and board will increase by 1%. While this is not a dramatic increase, it does mean that students and their families will be paying more for the same services within the next year.

The quality of services should increase with the price tag. Consistent issues with mold and other potentially harmful pathogens are important to recognize and must be rectified. It is the responsibility of students to keep their own spaces clean — when the problem becomes a widespread issue, that is when it is time to call for assistance.