Johnson Hall update
Dear members of the VCU community,
On Monday, VCU received the results of an air quality assessment of Johnson Hall which found elevated mold spores in 41 of the 228 spaces tested. These included a variety of student rooms and common spaces.
Out of an abundance of caution, we have closed Johnson Hall until further notice. While we recognize the challenges this decision creates for the 414 undergraduates who live there, the health and safety of our students is our top priority. Closing Johnson Hall allows us to determine the source of the mold and treat it. Additional information is available online.
On Tuesday, we notified residents of Johnson Hall about the decision and surveyed them about their housing needs for the remainder of the semester and for the spring. On Wednesday, we held a virtual information session with students and their families and answered questions from the more than 250 participants.
Residential Life and Housing staff have worked hard this week to locate alternative housing on and off-campus; they have found housing for all Johnson Hall residents in need of it. We have communicated those new housing assignments. On Sunday, staff will help students relocate from Johnson Hall to their new housing assignments.
We have provided Johnson Hall residents with a variety of academic resources and have asked faculty of those residents to be flexible with course assignments and attendance. We have asked affected Johnson Hall residents to reach out to their faculty by Dec. 3 to express any challenges with attendance or assignments.
We have also encouraged students to contact their academic advisors and financial counselors for help accessing resources and navigating this transition. Grant assistance is available to students affected by this relocation.
Students may contact their Student Financial Management Center financial counselor within Navigate to schedule an appointment by Dec. 16. Financial counselors can help determine potential financial expenses associated with relocating and possible grant funding to assist.
While it is a difficult way to end the semester, I am grateful for the efforts of our greater VCU community in supporting our Johnson Hall residents through this challenge.
Sincerely,
Charles Klink, Ph.D.
Senior Vice Provost
Division of Student Affairs