Welcome Center Rats

12/9/2022:

Closing up some of the believed last entry points in the pillars on the first floor of the welcome center. Facing Warren Ave.

12/6/2022:

Rat droppings found in a carpeted area of the Welcome Center

{insert picture here}

Maintenance was digging on the outside, but on the first floor, it smells like a sewer. They are digging on the side of the bookstore.

12:30 Provide update to the AAUP Council Representatives regarding the Ongoing RAT issue. (needed?)

12/5/2022:

A staff member in the welcome center overhears a maintenance person tell a custodian in the elevator that there is a structural issue in the Welcome Center Foundation and that the rats are burrowing into the Welcome center via these defects through the dirt and they were “partying” in the welcome center over the Thanksgiving week.

12/2/2022:

Health inspectors were in the building?

12/1/2022:

8:30 Numerous Staff members from Facilities are on the first floor, including AVP Davenport and Steve Gilsdorf, maybe Massaron. The first floor was being frantically cleaned until almost 10am.

12:15 Met with Provost Kornbluh to discuss continued evidence of rat infestation in the Welcome Center. AVP Ezzeddine was also present. The Provost was not amenable to our stating that Staff was finding fresh rat feces and was still skeptical even when presented with a video showing rats in the Welcome Center on 11/30/2022 at around 8pm. At this meeting, Provost K suggested sharing with us access to the video monitoring that they currently have set up, although as of 12/5/2022, this has not happened.

11/30/22:

Noon - Welcome Center Staff walk out for 20 mins in protest

{insert picture that was in the South End here}

11/29/2022:

8:45 am: rat poop is found on the first floor of the Welcome Center by staff preparing to work in the Fishbowl area of the 1st floor.

3:00 pm (approx): Work study student gets stuck in a rat trap. Tennis shoe is damaged.

Received notice from MIOSHA that a complaint has already been filed. We were forwarded a copy of MIOSHA’s establishment letter to AVP Davenport dated 11/9/2022 from a complaint submitted on 11/3/2022. Complaint #1964416.

4:30 Shobana called Rick Willis from MIOSHA to inquire as to the options we have. He explained that he is limited with what he can do while we are in this 30 day window and if WSU is going to do what they are supposed to do with pest control, there may not be a lot of recourse from that end. I explained that rat droppings were found today after the AVP stated that it has been handled and he said he would look into how much of a hazard that it still currently is, but he will still likely have to wait until WSU responds in writing.

11/28/2022:

8:00 am Rat feces photographed

9:30 am Walk-through with AVP Davenport and David Massaron conducted

10:30 am Meeting with almost 20 welcome center staff via Zoom to hear updates about Walk-through. Everyone learns that there was rat poop and rat still in the welcome center as of 8:30 am that same morning.

4:30 pm Meeting that was requested with AVP Davenport and interested parties met via Zoom with almost 40 welcome center staff, where staff are assured that measures that have been taken were effective and the Welcome Center is ready to be occupied. Common areas, only are cleaned and corrective efforts are focused on the first floor only even though Facilities has received reports of rat poop on other floors.

6:51 pm AVP Davenport sends an email stating that the issue has been resolved and that the Welcome Center will reopen tomorrow, 11/29/22 as planned and announced.

11/23/2022:

Welcome Center closure extended until Tuesday 11/29/2022.

11/22/2022:

We received an update from AVP Davenport as follows

No chemicals are in use to eradicate the rodents
Extensive baiting is being employed with peanut butter and beef jerky
Monitoring continues multiple times per day to inspect traps and bait, and identify any potential new activity
Cleaning is conducted twice daily
The OEHS team is engaged as we evaluate the situation

11/21/2022:

Welcome Center Staff meet to discuss our concerns about how the rat situation is being addressed and compile our questions to submit to AVP.

11/19/2022:

AVP Davenport announces Welcome Center closure for maintenance. No mention of rats and MIOSHA letter not shared. Building planned to remain closed until Monday, 11/28/2022.

11/18/2022:

Petition submitted to President of Wayne State University.

Rat sighting on the first floor