Bella Villegas was a healthy soccer player throughout high school. But once she moved into her college dorm room last fall at Zura Hall on San Diego State University’s campus, her health began declining, her parents say.
“From the beginning, she woke up, stuffed up. Then it turned into nasal congestion, turned into a cough, turned into sleeping, endless hours. And this is a child who never slept more than seven hours,” said her father Andre Villegas.
As a result, Bella spent her first semester of college in and out of the hospital, calling her parents for help.
“And every time we saw her in person, you could just tell she couldn’t breathe,” said Villegas.
“At 3:00 a.m. He took her to the ER and sat with her while they tried to figure out why half her throat was closing,” said mother Shannon Villegas.
The San Diego State student’s health issues got so bad at one point doctors decided she needed surgery.
“It was the symptoms breaking down her immune system,” said her mom. “That then caused strep, upper respiratory infection, peritonsillar abscess, the emergency tonsillectomy.”
About a month after Bella moved in, her parents took pictures of what appears to be mold in her room. They say doctors agreed it could have caused her problems.
“They said a lot of the symptoms related to mold. She has a weakened immune system,” said Bella’s mom.
SDSU’s Office of Housing Administration (OHA), issued a statement reading: SDSU received three service requests during the fall semester related to a concern about possible mold in the residential unit. In all instances, the space was inspected and serviced. Findings determined that the condition observed was suspected microbial growth from dust and moisture, which can happen when the AC is running while the window is left open. The affected area was cleaned during each service, and the filter was replaced during one of the visits to further address the issue. Given the continued concern, an additional third-party inspection was then conducted; the formal report confirmed that no mold was present in the unit.”
“SDSU takes reports of potential environmental concerns, including suspected mold, very seriously. When mold is suspected, residents are instructed to submit a service request through the Housing Portal. Each report is promptly reviewed, and inspections are conducted in coordination with Housing Facilities Services and, when appropriate, Environmental Health and Safety. “
“We’re watching her deteriorate and not knowing why, not knowing how we can help her. It was so hard. So frustrating,” said her mother.
In February, Bella moved out of the dorm. Although she’s on the mend, she’s dealing with another problem.
The university isn’t letting the honor student out of her lease that she paid for up front, with grant and scholarship money.
“I don’t think she should pay when she didn’t live there,” said her mother, Shannon.
A statement from the SDSU Office of Housing Administration says: “… student housing license agreements, SDSU provides a contract release request process to request release from their housing license agreement. Requests, including those based on medical circumstances, are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and require appropriate supporting documentation. Students seeking medical accommodations are also referred to Student Disability Services to determine whether reasonable housing accommodations can be provided. If the university is unable to meet a documented accommodation need, a release from the housing agreement may be considered. Without an approved cancellation, the housing license agreement remains in effect.”
“We had to move her out. No choice. Doctors said move her out or she’ll get worse. She will not get healthy,” said Shannon.
The Villegases are now dealing with the financial stress as the hospital bills mount, and they wait to hear from the university.
“We want answers and we want help for our daughter,” her father said.
Bella’s parents believe her lease money should be refunded and her medical bills paid for.