The recording studio at The University of Memphis Rudi E.Scheidt School of Music has been shut down due to a minor problemwith mold. And while one student says the mold problem was notaddressed properly by administration, others say it's no bigdeal.
"It started when my friend went into the studio to get hisdrums," said Miles Kondylas, senior recording studio tech major."When he lifted the drums, he found the place covered in greenmold. We were concerned about the environmental factor in thestudio. We found out a few weeks ago and waited for the alert, butno e-mails or memos were sent out (by administration)."
Kondylas said he sent an e-mail about the problem to members ofthe faculty and administration, but no one got back to him.
"It has made a lot of people irritated," he said. "There's morethan a million dollars worth of equipment in there."
The studio has since been shut off from use, as Physical Plantand Planning addresses the situation.
Jeff Cline, assistant professor of the Rudi E. Scheidt School ofMusic, said Kondylas' claims were made on an uninformed basis andthat no secrets were kept.
"The mold is considered common and was believed to be caused byan HVAC control malfunction," Cline said. "An outside air damperfailed to open, allowing outside moisture into the building. Withthe high amount of moisture in the air the environment wasconducive to the growth."
Curt Guenther, U of M communications specialist, said the airhandlers have been repaired and Physical Plant has taken care ofthe studio.
"Our energy and environmental manager Charlie Black went in andtook some samples," Guenther said. "We send the samples to a lab inNew Jersey and will have a report back this week. We also wiped theplace down and used sporiciden."
Though the situation has been addressed, Kondylas said he stillhas questions for The University.
"What are the health effects of the chemicals used, and how longwill the room be shut down?" Kondylas said. "There are going to besome major programs in the music school not doing any work. I cameto The University three years ago because it has a good studio, andnow we don't have one."
Kondylas said he hopes the faculty and administration will do abetter job communicating with students when things like this happenin the future.
"They should've at least told the students who use the recordingstudio," he said. "There was a total lack of communication, andwhen I put forth the effort, there was noresponse.
"I don't understand why they don't explain the situation. Ithink students wouldn't think certain things are a big deal as longas they know what's going on."
