Students impacted by bed bugs in one OU dorm
NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) — Some students at the University of Oklahoma are dealing with bed bugs in their dorm. One parent talked to News 4 and said she flew from out of state to help her daughter and other students clean their rooms.
"They're sleeping in it and then carrying it along to class. And girls have got their bedbug bites, it's horrible," said Laura Westemeyer, a concerned parent.
Laura Westemeyer first learned her daughter had a bed bug infestation over winter break.
"She's like, mom, you know, we have a housing staff that they're professionals. They handle this... Fast forward to March 9th when she texts me and says, 'Mom, I have bedbugs,'" said Westemeyer.
Westemeyer sent multiple emails to the university and received responses saying they're working on the cleanup, but she believes this could have been prevented from the beginning.
"If they would have handled this correctly out of the gate and done product, done a preventative treatment and checked the other rooms around, which is to me what I would have immediately done," said Westemeyer.
Housing officials were supposed to meet with students last Thursday. Instead, a cancellation email was sent that detailed what the university plans to do on April 3 for a follow-up treatment.
News 4 tried to talk to students living in the David L. Boren Hall and were told they were not allowed to speak with us.
A student at OU who doesn't live in the dorm said this isn't the first time he's heard of an infestation.
"On my first year, one of my buddies, he was living here and had some roommates of his, or like, down the hall that were having them," said Kyle Garibaldi, an OU student.
On Monday afternoon, Westemeyer learned the university is now working on a plan to move the impacted students to temporary housing.
OU sent News 4 a statement on the situation:
The University of Oklahoma is addressing an isolated pest-related issue affecting fewer than 10 rooms on a single wing of one of our residence halls. Immediate action was taken upon discovery, including thorough inspections and professional pest control treatments. Our priority is the safety, comfort, and health of all residents. OU housing remains vigilant and continues enhanced inspection measures to ensure a safe environment. Residents are encouraged to report any concerns promptly so issues can be swiftly addressed.
University of Oklahoma