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TSU Students Left Without Running Water In Dorm

Posted at 6:01 PM, Jan 25, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-26 16:12:14-05

Students in a Tennessee State University dorm have gone without running water for nearly two weeks. on top of multiple other problems.

The Wilson Residence Hall has made water a hot commodity.

"I'm an out of state student so it's $1 thousand every month to stay in a building with no hot water and no clean utilities to use," said one student.

The students did not want to be on camera for fear of retaliation, but they said no running water was just the final straw.

The students sent NewsChannel 5 several alarming pictures, including a mushroom growing from behind a mirror, and showers without shower heads.

Freshmen year of college is supposed to be one of the best moments of your life. But students said, not only have these issues effected that experience, but now their education.

"We are females, we have female issues, and for us to not be able to take care of ourselves properly that's going to effect your grades. It effects how you feel getting up and going to class," said one student.

The students said they're hoping TSU takes action, so they can spend less time worrying about how they're going to shower... and more time focusing on their education.

"We deserve hot water, we deserve to take a shower. We are paying money to take a shower," the student said.

Tennessee State University released a statement on Thursday apologizing for the conditions.

"Tennessee State University deeply apologizes to students and all others impacted by a housing issue in one of its residence halls. Because of unforeseen circumstances, including a ruptured tank, hot water is not being distributed evenly through the various floors of the building. University officials have had ongoing communication with students and talked with parents regarding repairs and temporary accommodations. The University is working diligently to resolve the issue." 

On Friday, TSU officials released another statement saying the issue was resolved.

“The issue in Wilson Hall has been resolved and hot water is being distributed equally throughout the building after it was shut off overnight for additional repairs. Wilson Hall, one of the university’s oldest residence halls, experienced unforeseen circumstances due to recent freezing temperatures that exacerbated the problem, including a ruptured tank. The university began addressing these issues immediately, and has been doing so since they occurred. Wilson Hall has never been without water. The issue had been the distribution and varying temperatures of the water. Water was shut off on two separate occasions to make needed repairs, but was restored the same day each time. The university truly regrets this situation, and is working aggressively with a grave sense of urgency to address all of the students’ concerns.”