Dormitory bathrooms cause stink

Something stinks in Community House. And while this creates an unsavory living environment for many residents, it also may be against the law. According to former Community House resident advisor Jeremy Chiapetta, several bathrooms in the Quadrangle lack proper ventilation and cleanliness. He added that this has been a recurring problem during the last two years. "There would be a film of dirt, dust, hair and urine which would cover the wall, mirror, floor, toilet seat and wash basins," the College senior said. Several University officials confirmed yesterday that bathrooms in the Thomas Penn, Warwick and McIlheny sections of the Quadrangle lack a working ventilation system. And Philadelphia Plumbing Supervisor Joseph Sabatino said yesterday that the conditions may violate a city ordinance, which requires that there be a window or air shaft in bathrooms that opens to the outside air. In an attempt to alleviate the problem, Chiapetta said he filled out numerous maintenance cards and complained to Judith Hillard, former assistant dean of residence for Community House, on many occasions. Although he was given repeated assurances, Chiapetta said the problem has not been fixed. Assistant Dean of Residence for Community House Diana Koros expressed her disapproval over the situation. "There is no reason why our residents should live that way," she said. "I don't live that way, and there is no reason they should either." Koros said she discussed the problem with officials as recently as yesterday morning. Although Koros could not estimate when the ventilation problem will be alleviated in the bathrooms, she said she is paying close attention to it. "My style is to start with the appropriate channels and give them time, then increase my requests with increased frequency and volume," Koros said. "It will be fixed," she said. "One way or another, it will be fixed." Assistant Director of Facilities and Residential Operations Gordon Rickards confirmed that Residential Maintenance is aware of the problem, but said that "student rooms are higher on their priority list." He could not comment on why the problem was not addressed last year. The most poignant issue among current Quad residents is the smell emanating from the unventilated bathrooms. "The guys' bathroom smells bad," said College freshman Sarina Berger. "I can smell it all the way down the hall." "It smells like a possum exploded in there," College freshman Daniel Schwartz said. "It's a really nasty, stinky place where you just don't feel like taking care of business," College freshman Andrew Delemos said. And several students who lived in the dorm last year recall the situation with unpleasant memories. "You would walk in and the ceilings would drip on you [it was] so wet," said College sophomore Erin Crowley. "You felt like you were in a tropical rain forrest." Tom McNally, a city spokesperson contacted yesterday, would not say whether any complaints have been made to the Licenses and Inspections Department. He added, though, that the department responds to complaints it receives promptly.

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