Lane College students raise concerns over dorm conditions: ‘I should have just stayed at home’

JACKSON, Tenn. — Some students at Lane College contacted WBBJ recently with issues they say they’re having on campus.

The students of Hamlet Hall, Orchards Hall, as well as others, have detailed some of their experiences, and have provided photo and video to show the problems in their college dorms.

Some students say they have even had to go as far as laying towels under their doors to prevent pests and vermin.

They contacted us hoping to get the problems resolved and alleviate their concerns about their safety. The students who brought this to us have asked for the identity to be protected.

Students say they are also concerned with the efforts being made to correct the issues.

“Yes, because I’m out of state. So why should I come from where I’m coming from just to come here and live worse? Like I should have just stayed at home and then I wouldn’t even [have] a way if I wasn’t paying, but I’m paying,” said the student.

The university would not agree to an on-camera interview but sent us a statement which says they are aware of the concerns and experiencing a transition in custodial staff.

“Lane College is aware of concerns regarding recent residential hall conditions and takes these matters seriously. The health and safety of our students and employees remain the College’s highest priority.

The College recently experienced a transition in custodial services that caused a temporary disruption in standard maintenance cycles. Immediate corrective actions are underway, including the deployment of additional professional cleaning and remediation teams, focused attention on priority areas, and reinforced sanitation protocols to ensure all residence halls meet established health and safety standards.

Lane College is actively monitoring conditions and will continue taking the necessary steps to maintain a safe, healthy, and compliant living and learning environment for our campus community.”

Students tell us they have seen maintenance teams but have not seen any changes to the alleged mold, roaches and water damage.

“Yes, they show up, but we don’t see nothing they’re doing like we don’t see no improvements. Mind you, we got six floors in our building and only four floors are up and running, and they just shut the fifth floor down when we came back, so now it’s like we cluttered,” said the student.

Students we spoke with say they are afraid of speaking out.

Students at Lane pay thousands of dollars for a nine-month term of student housing. The students believe that they should feel clean and safe while investing in their education.

Students are also concerned about lack of resources, to the extent that they say they are having to have toilet paper drives for their dorms.

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