Photos // Ashley Bergeron

A ceiling tile in NS 148 shows water damage and black discoloration in this photo from Sept. 6. The tile has since been replaced. 

By: Mira Costello and Ashley Bergeron

Editor-in-Chief, Staff-Writer

Students from many majors, especially those in STEM, spend much of their time in Northside Hall. However, recent observations leave room for improvement in the building, with some classrooms and labs under scrutiny for uncleanliness and dysfunction.

On Oct. 2, IU Environmental Health & Safety visited Northside and performed a visual inspection of the building. They observed “fungal growth” in classrooms NS 104, NS 070, NS 071 and NS 124 and required that these classrooms be closed until a deep clean is completed. EHS did not confirm or deny if the fungal growth was mold. 

Biological Sciences Professor Andrew Schnabel told The Preface that he believes there is mold in Northside, but that he is unsure whether it is harmful. Schnabel said the presence of mold in the microbiology lab has affected Associate Professor of Microbiology Yilei Qian’s research, which requires a sterile environment that she has struggled to maintain in the presence of mold. 

There is visible damage to one wall of the microbiology lab, which is prone to moisture and leaking. Some bulletin boards and display cases in the first-floor biology hallway also have visible water damage. In 2017, the biology department offices flooded, and faculty did not return to their offices until 2020. 

Students have also reported that surfaces in some of the biology labs “shake” or “vibrate”, possibly due to the fume hoods in the chemistry labs below, though the cause is unknown.

The condition of all labs – biology, chemistry and physics – is a concern to students and faculty alike, whether due to water damage, other environmental concerns or outdated equipment. 

Monika Lynker, physics department chair, said she has requested maintenance to the physics lab multiple times for water damage, temperature issues and more. While urgent issues, such as leaks, have been addressed promptly, others are postponed indefinitely. Some physics equipment has been damaged from leaks. 

“Things happen when they are immediate, but it just needs a major renovation,” she said. “It’s been [dreary and rank] since I’ve been here, and I’ve been here for a long time.”

Lynker has also heard from students who worry that discoloration in the ceiling tiles may be hazardous. 

“I’ve heard concerns, especially when it looks like mold,” Lynker said. “But they tell us it’s not mold. But students look up there, and it’s not obvious that it’s not. It should not be so difficult to replace the tiles, right?”

Lynker said she has concerns about showing prospective students the current labs, which she believes have not been renovated since she arrived at IU South Bend in 1994 and may sit in the shadow of nicer labs at local high schools like Penn. 

Aaron Hoover, director of facilities management, and Andy Williams, vice chancellor for administration and finance, agreed about the quality of the facilities, including the chemistry labs. 

Hoover told The Preface that although he wishes facilities could fix everything that needs attention with the click of a button, they cannot. He added that with five retirements from the facilities department in just a few years, the staff have lost almost 100 years of combined experience and are trying to hire new staff. 

Even students who don’t access the labs have likely experienced discomfort in Northside, which is notorious for poor temperature regulation in classrooms. Hoover explained that the current two-way HVAC system is less efficient and flexible than the four-way system currently under construction, which will allow concurrent heating and cooling.

The HVAC project is a $2 million investment that Hoover expects to continue for at least 12 months. He said construction should be silent during the day, as not to disrupt students or classes.

IU South Bend is in the process of submitting a Capital Asset Request to central IU, which provides specific information about the renovations needed. If approved, central IU will request funding from the state to complete the projects. The request will be sent next semester, with potential approval in June and disbursement of funds in fall 2025. Any renovations that result from the request would not begin until the disbursement of funds. 

All IU campuses also receive Repair & Renovation funds from the state, which range from $500,000 to $1 million per year and at IU South Bend have covered projects like re-roofing the Administration Building in the past. Our campus administration, including the Campus Space Advisory Committee, decide what areas to prioritize for R&R spending based on how frequently they are used. 

IU South Bend is also in early discussions with IU Bloomington Interior Design about plans to make Northside easier to navigate. 

Additional reporting provided by Jordan Sarver-Bontrager.