BLOOMINGTON, Ind.  — Indiana University will start a $56 million renovation project next summer to address ongoing mold problems at two campus residence halls in Bloomington.

 

It  is reported that a full renovation is the only way to eliminate the mold trouble that started this fall in Foster and McNutt residence halls. A Board of Trustees committee approved a proposal Friday to move up planned renovations of the residence halls by two years. 

 

The planned renovation includes new room designs and common spaces, new HVAC systems, new piping and air ducts as well as more modern amenities and decor similar to the recently renovated Forest, Read and Wells Quad residence halls on the Bloomington campus.

 

“We recognize there have been significant concerns regarding mold in Foster and McNutt residence halls during the fall semester. While we have completed remediation work in the two facilities, accelerating the planned renovations of Foster and McNutt enables IU to address underlying HVAC deficiencies of older systems while also comprehensively renovating these facilities,” said Tom Morrison, vice president for capital planning and facilities.

If a student is currently living in Foster and McNutt and has no allergic symptoms or chronic health conditions, he or she may safely remain in the halls for the rest of the current academic year. In any rooms where MoldSCORE™ reports indicated high levels of mold spores, students have already been individually contacted to find alternate housing for the rest of the academic year.