Fumes leave Quad residents feeling ill

The Campaign for Penn party held in the Quadrangle Friday night left a bad taste in the mouths of some dorm residents. Diesel fumes emitted from two large generators in Lower Quad filled the surrounding rooms. The generators were used to cool the outdoor tent, where the party took place. Students in Spruce Street House, Community House and Butcher, Speakman and Class of '28 sections of the Quad were affected by the fumes. Mancing said the fumes started to have negative effects Thursday, when the generators were first turned on. The fumes caused several of his students to complain of nausea and headaches, he added. "I was feeling a little light-headed Friday night," said College freshman Michael Singer. Wharton freshman Kevin Davis had a similar experience. "There was a noxious odor emanating from the system's generator," he said. "For a second, I saw fruitcakes dancing around my head." Mancing added that the smoke forced many residents to close their windows, despite the humid weather. "[The generator] was making living conditions very uncomfortable for students," he said. College freshman Chris LaVigne likened the odor to that of burnt sausages. "It was so bad that we had to close our windows," he said. "It got so hot in our room that we had to leave." The effects of the fumes were also hitting administrators. Assistant Dean of Residence for Community House Diana Koros was hit hard. "Any airborne irritants are not good for asthmatics," she said. "I am asthmatic." Assistant Dean of Residence for BS-28 Jane Rogers said she experienced a headache and felt dizzy. But, she said her momentary discomfort was worth it. "I think for all the good the campaign did for the University, it was worth the inconvenience," she said. Mancing said when he spoke with engineers standing by the generator Friday, he was told that the situation could have been avoided. "Whoever was in charge of [the Campaign] never took into consideration the fact that students were living in the surrounding area," he said. He added that the engineers told him that it would have been possible to avert fumes completely out of the Quad, had they known during the planning stages of the event. Mancing described the situation as "an example of the people in charge of the planning commission allowing the fundraising aspect of the University to supercede what the University is really here for -- to provide an atmosphere conducive to education." "They blatantly denied the students an opportunity to live comfortably for four days," he added. College senior and RA Mike Zugay described the situation as being "outclouted by alumni people." "It was kind of sad that they came, took advantage and left the mess for us," he said. College freshman Lisa Ohebshalon resented the weekend's events. "I don't mind if they put up the tent," she said. "But when it interferes with my well-being, it bothers me." Mancing also spoke with a representative from the Office of Health and Safety, who he said took a lot of interest in the fumes. He added that Assistant Director of Safety, Security and Facilities Gordon Rickards was also on the site to talk with students and take care of the problem. When the problem persisted, Director of Residential Living Gigi Simeone came to the scene, he said. Rickards and Simeone demanded that the generator be turned off because they were becoming a health hazard to students. "The people in development were very agreeable," Simeone said. "Students unfortunately had to experience some pretty unpleasant fumes from [the generator], but it was turned off." Both administrators and students were impressed by the way Residential Living took care of the situation. "Under the circumstances, I think everyone did the best they could," Koros said. Zugay, who was personally affected by the fumes, expressed his gratitude. "Residential Living was rather helpful in this circumstance," he said. "I was impressed. "Gigi Simeone and Gordon Rickards were here to protect the students rights and all the student appreciate that," he added.