by Caroline Koenig, Jason Dias, Adja Gaye, Cali Waldridge, and Stanley Walrod
In November 2024, we released a survey to the student body to collect data on laundry facilities. In three days, we received 161 responses with representatives from 23 residence halls/houses. Students answered questions regarding availability, maintenance issues, accessibility, and overall satisfaction with their laundry services.
Quick Results
- Average overall rating of laundry services: 2.63/5 stars
- Average accessibility rating of laundry services: 2.87/5 stars
- 40.5% of students had to travel to another residence hall to do their laundry.
- 43.4% of students requested additional washer and dryer units.
- Frequent comments cited concerns about…
- Not enough washer/dryers per residents;
- Machines being broken for months to a semester at a time;
- Machines functioning but not working properly;
- Mold, dryer lint, and laundry room cleanliness;
- Removal of temperature controls and soil options.
123, 125, 129 Fifth Street (2.33/5 stars) – 2 washers, 2 dryers
Students in 123, 125, and 129 all expressed a great need for more washers at their locations, especially 129 since it currently does not have laundry facilities at all. Students explained that their singular washer/dryer is not enough for the number of residents and is almost always in use, which is very inconvenient since they cannot access other laundry facilities with their IDs.
Acheson Caldwell (2.50/5 stars) – 3 washers, 3 dryers
Students reported concerns about mold in the washers. Students reported that the dryers are not working properly and require 2-3 cycles to fully dry their clothes. Students expressed a great need for more washers to accommodate the number of students in their residence hall. Additionally, since other residence halls have broken washers and dryers, they are all coming to Acheson Caldwell and overwhelming the laundry facilities.
Bingham (4.00/5 stars) – 4 washers, 5 dryers
Students reported that dryers are not drying their clothes.
Breckinridge (1.62/5 stars) – 2 dryers, 2 washers
In every response, students expressed a need for at least a couple more washers and dryers to accommodate the number of residents. The current machines do not clean clothes or work efficiently. They also smoke and set the fire alarm off.
Brockman Commons (3.12/5 stars) – 6 washers, 7 dryers
1 washer has been broken since summer of 2024 despite RAs submitting reports for months. There is also mold in some of the detergent compartments and complaints of clothes smelling. Students also reported that dryers are not drying their clothes. Students expressed concerns about Brock Commons being overwhelmed by students from Breckinridge and Greek Row, which makes the current number of washers and dryers unsustainable for the needs of all these students. They request that washers and dryers at other locations be fixed to alleviate this problem. Additionally, students mentioned that the laundry room, in addition to its appliances, is not cleaned or maintained.
Cheek Evans (2.88/5 stars) – 3 washers, 3 dryers
Students reported that dryers are not drying their clothes. Students expressed a great need for more washers and dryers in their residence hall.
Cooper Ganfield (4.00/5 stars) – 3 washers, 3 dryers
A student reported that one of the doors on a washer is breaking. There was also a complaint about the smell of mildew.
Fox Apartments (4.00/5 stars) – 1 washer, 1 dryer
Students expressed a great need for laundry facilities at their residence, as there is currently
only 1 washer and dryer supporting the entirety of St. Mildred’s Street. They mentioned that access to Acheson Caldwell is not enough because that laundry facility is overwhelmed (see comments on Acheson Caldwell above).
Greek Row (2.25/5 stars) – 6 washers, 6 dryers
Residents were frustrated by the removal of laundry services in December without notification.
Higgins Hall (4.00/5 stars) – 1 washer, 1 dryer
A student expressed a great need for more washers and dryers. One is not enough.
Lamotte Tyler (2.50/5 stars) – 4 washers, 4 dryers
The inside of one of the dryers is completely black; it looks like paint.
Nevin (3.78/5 stars) – 5 washers, 6 dryers
Students reported that 1-2 washers may not be working. Students reported that dryers are not drying their clothes.
Northside (2.88/5 stars) – 6 washers, 7 dryers
Students expressed a great need for more washers and dryers, especially considering the large number of residents in Northside. They also mentioned concerns about accessibility considering that a majority of the machines are stacked and hard to reach.
Pearl (2.46/5 stars) – 5 washers, 5 dryers
At least two washers have been broken throughout the year. Some students mentioned mold/mildew in their washers. Students expressed a great need for more washers and dryers to accommodate a larger residence hall. One student mentioned that there are more hookups that aren’t being used. Additionally, there are complaints that washers leave clothes soaking, and dryers are not completely drying their clothes. Multiple students recommended that the dryer lint needs to be cleaned in addition to routine maintenance.
Rodes Apartments (1.00/5 stars) – 1 washer, 1 dryer
A student expressed a great need for more washers and dryers at their residence because walking to St. Mildred’s only to find the 1 washer and dryer unavailable is very inconvenient. They believe there is a spot for connectors for laundry facilities in their residence, which would alleviate the current issues.
Ruby Cheek (2.00/5 stars) – 1 washer, 1 dryer
One washer and dryer is not enough for the residents.
St. Mildred’s (1.67/5 stars) – 1 washer, 1 dryer
One washer and dryer is not enough for the residents. They frequently have to use Acheson/Caldwell washers and dryers.
Stevenson Vinson (3.67/5 stars) – 4 washers, 4 dryers
No comments for this residence.
Walnut House (1.50/5 stars)
No laundry for this residence.
Wiseman (3.67/5 stars) – 1 washer, 1 dryer
No comments for this residence.
Yerkes (3.22/5 stars) – 3 washers, 3 dryers
No comments for this residence.