“It looks like we are living in a third-world country,” said freshman Jaeda Williams, describing what she says she found after moving into a Florida Memorial University dorm in Miami Gardens last August. Williams recalls visible mold, broken furniture and filthy laundry rooms greeting her instead of the typical move-in excitement. She told a 7Investigates reporter she submitted multiple maintenance requests that were never fulfilled, then went to county health officials because she was worried about her health. After her complaint and a local TV investigation, cleaning crews finally showed up, but Williams says the experience has already pushed her to give up on campus housing.
What Inspectors Found
As reported by WSVN, the Miami-Dade Health Department assigned an inspector and emailed Williams that her complaint was valid and that corrective actions had been started. According to the email quoted by the station, the issues included “visible mold,” “bacteria in washers” and “broken furniture.” Williams shared photos and video showing blackened vents and stained hallways that she says maintenance never fixed.
How FMU Handles Housing Complaints
Florida Memorial’s housing policies require students to submit maintenance and housekeeping work orders with the Office of Housing & Residence Life, according to the Florida Memorial University student handbook. The university’s registrar and campus pages list Housing & Residence Life as the official channel for repair requests and provide contacts for student services. In practice, that setup means many problems are first handled internally by campus housing staff before any outside agency gets involved.
University Response And Student Backlash
A university spokesperson told 7News the president would not take questions about dorm conditions, and the station reports cleaning crews arrived after its investigation, as detailed by WSVN. Williams said she had dreamed of attending an HBCU and was excited about FMU, but the state of the housing left her feeling ignored and ultimately pushed her to leave the school altogether. Her story tracks with broader frustration among students who say their repeated repair requests sit unanswered.
Health Rules And What Happens Next
Under Florida law, the Department of Health runs an environmental-health program that can investigate complaints and require cleanup when conditions pose a public-health risk, according to the Florida Senate public-health statutes. The Florida Department of Health’s Miami-Dade office offers local contacts and resources for residents who need to report environmental-health concerns. Federal guidance from the EPA notes that indoor mold can trigger respiratory and allergic symptoms and recommends prompt cleanup and strict moisture control to protect the people living in affected buildings.
