May brings sunshine and blossoms — and a mould problem that on South Campus is throwing students off course.

The discovery of mould in several buildings has complicated daily life for many humanities students, who are now caught in a balancing act between mould, Zoom classes, and upcoming exams. The University Post went out to the campus in the Amager district of Copenhagen to gauge how students are dealing with it all.

READ ALSO: Mould spreads at South Campus, forcing University of Copenhagen students online

»The motivation drops when it’s all virtual«

The University Post caught up with student of linguistics Anna-Emilie Iversen at the Department of Nordic Studies and Linguistics’ coffee bar. She has just finished her volunteering shift and is heading out the door to attend an online class.

How has the discovery of mould affected you?

»What really affects me the most is that some of my teaching is now on Zoom. I don’t think it’s as effective, and I definitely lose some of the motivation when it’s virtual. The classes I still have in person have been moved to other rooms. In general, it’s hard to find places to meet with supervisors and lecturers when they don’t have offices.«

How do you think it will affect your exam period?

»A lot of the places I usually sit and study have been affected by the mould, so I’ll need to find new study spots. We’ve also been told that we might have to do our oral exams somewhere else than South Campus. I can manage finding new study spaces, but having to switch campuses for exams will definitely affect my exam period.«

How much information have you received?

»We have not been particularly well informed by the study administration. I think there was a post about it on KUnet, but most of the information we get is from our lecturers.«

»I’m constantly checking my UCPH account«

Like many others on South Campus, religious studies student Nicholas Hein has found a sunny spot to take a short break between classes.

How has the mould discovery affected you?

»My classes have been heavily impacted because we keep having to change rooms. I’m constantly checking my UCPH account to make sure I don’t miss a message saying that my class has been moved again.«

How do you think it will affect your exam period?

»Luckily, my exams are written exams this semester, so it only affects the final few classes before the exams. But I am a bit worried about next semester if they keep discovering mould. I’ve got a couple of oral exams then, and that could definitely become a problem.«

Are you concerned about developing physical symptoms from being exposed to the mould?

»I used to live in a dorm room with mould, and I ended up developing physical symptoms — it’s not pleasant. So I really hope that doesn’t happen again.«

How much information have you received?

»I don’t feel like we’ve been properly informed. It’s really something you have to go and find out for yourself.«

»There have been a lot of mixed messages«

In the South Campus hallways, students are immersed in readings at the different tables. Here we meet a student of Danish, Amalie Bodelund, deeply focused in front of her laptop.

How has the discovery of mould affected you?

»Half of our teaching was affected because it took place in a room where mould was found. We’re now having classes in other buildings — including over at the Faculty of Law. I imagine we’ll feel the consequences more when it comes to exams, now that we can’t use the library.«

How do you think it will affect your exam period?

»We always sit in the library to write, and that’s also where we find the books we need for our exams. So it might end up being a challenge.«

Are you worried about developing physical symptoms from being exposed to the mould?

»It’s actually not something I’ve thought much about. I trust that they’ve got it under control and that we’d be notified if it was necessary to get checked out.«

How much information have you received?

»Most of the information has come through our UCPH email addresses, and our lecturers have told us a bit. But there have been a lot of mixed messages — at first we were told we’d have online teaching, and then suddenly we weren’t going to do this after all.«

»As far as I know, it’s not dangerous«

At the Department of Nordic Studies and Linguistics NoRS’  coffee bar, where the atmosphere is buzzing, Danish studies student Asger Wolin stands behind the counter — serving both coffee and a conversation about the mould.

How has the discovery of mould affected you?

»It hasn’t really affected me much. When the mould was first discovered, our classes were cancelled, but they’ve since been replaced. Now I just have to walk a bit further to get to class. Some of the teaching has also been moved to Zoom, but we’ve been good at meeting up in small groups and watching the classes together, which works quite well. I’ve noticed that a lot of people are talking about the mould, but in the end, they’re probably more stressed about exams than about the mould.«

How do you think it will affect your exam period?

»Not much. I know people are annoyed that the NoRS library is closed, but that just opens up opportunities to study in other places.«

Are you worried about developing physical symptoms from being exposed to the mould?

»Not really. A family member who’s a doctor suggested I get it checked out, but I’m taking it pretty easy. As far as I know, it’s not dangerous as long as I don’t spend too much time in the affected rooms.«