Moulton Hall currently under investigation following health concerns from students, faculty

Students and faculty who frequent Moulton Hall were evacuated and forced to relocate from their classrooms due to an ongoing investigation of potential environmental health risks in the building. EMILY PARIS, Staff Photographer 

An investigation led by environmental experts is currently underway in Chapman’s Moulton Hall after health concerns were brought forward by numerous users of the building, according to an April 1 email from the Office of the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

As a result, visual and performing arts faculty and students were relocated into new classrooms, including the Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences building, the Sandhu Residence and Conference Center and the Hashinger Science Center, for their safety.

The Chapman Environmental Health and Safety Department began receiving emails and phone calls from users of Moulton Hall regarding health concerns in mid-March, according to Albert Vasquez, the vice president for Enterprise Risk and Safety and the primary point of contact for the investigation. A preliminary investigation began immediately after to examine any indoor and outdoor environmental risk factors in the building. In the current stage of investigation, the Environmental Health and Safety Department is still unsure of what these potential health risks could be.

“Possible health issues were brought to our attention, and we are investigating it by hiring top experts in the field of environmental issues,” Vasquez said. “Our department believes that nothing is more important than the health and safety of our campus community, and we have offered faculty and students the opportunity to relocate from the building for the duration of the investigation.” 

Vasquez declined to speak on the specific health concerns raised by Moulton Hall users in order to protect the medical records privacy of the faculty and students directly involved in the situation.

Environmental experts from two different environmental firms in Orange County have been hired to further examine the building for any potential risks. However, Vasquez also declined to name the firms involved in the examination, as the university is currently finalizing its contracts with them. 

Sophomore graphic design major Claire Guardi is one of many students affected by the situation. Guardi is currently enrolled in two different graphic design classes in Moulton Hall this semester. 

“Personally, I’m not too worried about what’s happening because I’ve never experienced any issues with Moulton (Hall), and I’ve had classes there since school returned to in-person,” Guardi said. “But, I do think it’s a bit of an inconvenience for my peers and I who were only made aware of the situation very recently. I think the school is being very cautious in how they handle this situation, but I do hope that Chapman releases more information soon to keep us in the know.”

Due to the ongoing investigation, both of Guardi’s classes in the building were relocated last week to different buildings on campus. 

“My peers and I who have performing arts classes in Moulton expected to be in our facilities for the entire year, and now we’re having to be relocated to different classrooms that just aren’t equipped to handle acting and theater classes,” said Eva Wong, a junior theater performance and peace studies double major. “It’s just overall a very frustrating situation, and I know a lot of us are very stressed out about it as well.” 

Moulton Hall was completed in 1975 and hasn’t gone through many routine inspections since then, according to Vasquez. The building has since then housed students and faculty in the art, communication, dance and theater departments. The building is also home to the Waltmar Theater and the Guggenheim Gallery, the latter of which is used for art exhibits presented by the art department as well as other departments on campus.

The investigation at Moulton is set to last between 90 to 120 days, according to Vasquez. The building will continue to be examined by the hired health experts, and as more information is uncovered, it will be delivered to students and faculty in a transparent manner, Vasquez said.  

This is a developing story. Follow The Panther on social media and at www.thepanthernewspaper.org for updates as the investigation persists.