Students have filed complaints that the third floor of Turlington Residence Hall has a mice infestation. This comes after a series of similar complaints in other residence halls across campus, such as Bragaw Hall in previous semesters.

These mice may seem cute and cuddly, but keeping these pests is not only unsanitary, it is unacceptable. Domesticated animals are not allowed in residence halls, and having wild, unwanted animals poses greater health risks for students.  

University officials must continue to listen to students’ complaints and do everything they can to prevent this from happening again. They must continue to provide equipment and supplies to get rid of vermin and other health hazards. Since the problem has spread to several rooms in Turlington, we suggest the University fumigate the third floor in order to get rid of the problem.

But the only way to keep the residence halls clean is to have students voice concerns over these issues. Since University Housing does not rummage through every inch of residence halls to check for imperfections, students are the ones responsible for reporting problems.

Yulissa Lin, community director of University Housing, suggests that students who encounter this problem contact University Housing staff. Another option is to write a complaint on its Web site.  

Reporting problems in residence halls isn’t the only issue students should report. Students should also be wary of problems such as leaky faucets and showers, mold, burned out lights and broken furniture. Reporting such problems allows students to live in a safer environment.

And resident advisers and directors aren’t in residence halls just to hold events twice a year. They are there to serve you and listen when complaints come their way. They are always more than willing to help out in a situation that could lead to safer living conditions.

As of Tuesday night, the mice seem to be concentrated on the third floor, but we hope University Housing will be proactive when it comes to these matters so the problems do not continue. We also hope students continue to voice complaints to the proper authorities so problems like these can be wiped out.