LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Some 270 students at the University of Louisville in Kentucky have been forced to move after high levels of mold were found in their dormitory, officials said.
The students were told Wednesday that they would not be able to sleep in Miller Hall after Thursday night and that they have until 6 p.m. Sunday to remove all of their belongings from their rooms, The (Louisville) Courier-Journal reported.
The university decided to move the students after an inspection of the residence hall found high levels of two types of mold spores -- aspergillus and penicillium -- that don't normally present a threat but could affect people with allergies, asthma and upper respiratory problems, said Dr. Phillip Bressoud, director of student health.
"We've asked students who have any symptoms or problems to come forward and we'll have them evaluated at no cost," Bressoud said.
Students won't pay anything extra for their new housing, and if students decide to move off campus, they can cancel their contracts at no cost and will be refunded their fees, said Shannon Staten, director of student housing.
"We've been focusing on how to take care of these students so they're distracted as little as possible," she said. "We'll worry about that later."
The dorm will be closed the rest of the semester, Staten said.
