OHRL addresses bed bug concerns in residence halls

The Office of Housing and Residential Life (OHRL) and Buildings and Grounds are taking action against recent concern over the alleged spread of bed bugs in University housing.

Last week, OHRL had their first bed bug complaint in several weeks, causing panic amongst some students. According to Director of OHRL Andrew Patrick Roger Gordon, only five cases of bed bugs have been confirmed from the 15 reports OHRL received this semester. Gordon said the University received fewer than 10 complaints last year. He acknowledges the immediate response of Buildings and Grounds. "Since the Buildings and Grounds response is incredibly invasive, it is best to take time to assess the situation, take time to inform the student and, if the room needs to be treated, take time to ensure that students do not transport bed bugs elsewhere while the room is treated," Gordon said.

According to Gordon, the University and Educational Housing Services (EHS) extensively treat and clean the residence halls at beginning of the semester. "Bed bugs are transported to the building on clothing, in luggage, or attached to individuals in different ways," he said.

Of the several complaints OHRL received, Gordon said half of them have been unverified. Complaints have included students noticing several bite marks on their bodies. "The skin lesion produced by the bite of a bed bug resembles those caused by many other kinds of blood feeding insects, such as mosquitoes and fleas," Gordon said.

Student complaints of bed bugs led to an extensive investigation by OHRL and Buildings and Grounds. According to Gordon, OHRL begins by looking for evidence of bed bugs in the physical environment and personal experiences of the student. OHRL stresses student cooperation is essential during these critical investigational steps. "Students need to let us know before we can take action," he said. "Students should expect an almost immediate response and should remain available for communication. If students do not receive a call or a visit from someone in OHRL within a few hours, they need to contact their RA or the RA on duty once again. Our protocol calls for someone to respond and begin our official response."

If confronted with a bed bug related issue, OHRL urges students to prepare themselves appropriately. Students should expect to have their room extensively examined and to have constant contact with members of OHRL. Students can expect to be displaced for a maximum of two days and therefore, it is important to have appropriate necessities packed and cleaned. In an effort to prevent spreading bed bugs in the event of a confirmed case, students should clean themselves before they are sent to another room. Gordon said OHRL would work as hard as possible to accommodate displaced students. According to Gordon, during a room investigation, OHRL and Buildings and Grounds require access to the student's room for a four to six hour period. "It may be inconvenient, but it is absolutely essential," Gordon said.

"Typically, problems and delays in treatment are not with the University's willingness or expediency in addressing complaints," Gordon said. "Most often, problems and delays come from differing perceptions of those affected and the failure to recognize all the variables involved."

OHRL maintains they are willing to provide students with the most extensive amount of help in every complaint and hopes to dispel rumors spread. "Stories have range from those who have slept in the lounge, to those who commute from home." Gordon said.

With the risk of contracting bed bugs prevalant in an urban environment, it is important to remain conscious about what is being transported back and forth between residence halls. Gordon hopes the increased education of bed bug treatments will prevent future issues. "The University and EHS have no interest in delaying response or avoiding the problem. When not addressed, bed bug problems get worse, not better," Gordon said. "Together we can keep this problem under control. We all should give a big vote of thanks to all those who have worked so hard on it."