Three Steps Forward, One Step Back: Music Hall Still Undergoing Issues

After renovations and repairs Tourgee A. Debose Hall is still suffering from mold, which is due to the failure of climate control.
Prior to renovations, the Music Department had to relocate to Stewart Hall.
Even though students have returned back to Debose Hall this Spring semester, students are still facing air control issues.
Senior Music major, Dayshawn Russel of New Orleans, says he remembers when he had to attend classes in Stewart Hall.
“The music building is made for music and it was easier and less stressful for the people around us. We really did not have any problems with the taking classes in Stewart but the walls are very thin,” said Russel, “as far as what I know, the air conditioning in Debose Hall is very, very old. It’s the same when the hall was first built and because the air conditioning can’t control the humidity, it makes it bad for the instruments and students.”
When asked about condition of Debose Hall, Chairman of Music Program Dr. Charles Lloyd had much to say.
“During the period of time that we were gone, there was quite a bit of work being done. The theatre had black mold on the top of it and it has been removed. The hired contractors clean the whole building because we were concerned about the mold and the climate control which makes it extremely cold. The humidity was too high for the instruments in the building which can ruin them,” said Lloyd.
“We had our concerns coming in but we recently had a meeting and I am convinced that the University is doing everything it can do to make sure this building is healthy. They came in and changed lights, changed ceiling tiles and locks that had mold on them. It is profoundly positive of what they are trying to do because they want us in a clean environment. There is a problem with the boilers but that will be fixed so in my point of view, everything is moving forward in a positive way,” finished Lloyd.