2 | The Lantern | Thursday, February 1, 2024
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A guide to cleaning: Keeping your living space “livable” By Amanda Bovenzi Lantern Reporter
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or many students, college is the first taste of independence, and therefore their first time having complete responsibility for living spaces. Some may be left with questions regarding what cleaning products to use, where to use them and how often certain areas need to be refreshed. Dr. Monica Kraft, assistant professor of allergy and immunology at the Wexner Medical Center, said it’s important to get into the habit of cleaning each room in a living space regularly.
“Moving into an environment where you’re living on your own and responsible for your cleaning habits can sometimes be daunting, but it’s important to take ownership of your health,” Kraft said. It is especially important to keep living environments clean if students are prone to experience sinus issues from allergens like dust particles, animal dander or mold, and these allergens can become large triggers to airways for those who experience asthma or allergies, Kraft said. “For people who have a dust mite allergy or a mold allergy or an animal dander allergy, it can be particularly problematic if the homes are not kept clean,” Kraft said. Allergies are not always to blame when feeling ill. On college campuses, sicknesses can be spread quickly, so it is important to live a healthy lifestyle and learn how to properly clean living spaces, Kraft said. Kraft recommends students who live in dorm buildings or furnished off-campus housing to use mattress covers be-
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Among the house cleaning and sanitation supplies that should be kept on hand are chlorine bleach, disinfectant and plenty of absorbent towels. Experts advise that each home should have a 72-hour disaster survival kit.
cause those beds have been occupied by previous residents and often keep dust mites trapped between the mattress and cover. She also recommended that students wash their bedding at least once a week, using a hot cycle to combat dust buildup, even if there are no visible dust mites. “That’s more of the microscopic insects that you can’t see, so that’s not physical dust that you’re cleaning up but it’s things that can cause allergies but live all around us in mattresses, couches and soft surfaces,” Kraft said. “So it’s important to stay on top of it even if you’re not seeing dust.” For those who experience allergies, the most important room to keep clean is the bedroom. “If you have people who have pets in the home, and you’re particularly allergic to pets, keep that pet out of your bedroom,” Kraft said. “If
you’re allergic to pollen, make sure your bedroom window does not stay open on those nice spring days and make sure that you vacuum regularly and wash bedding regularly.” “Getting into a habit of this helps give you the most control over the environment you’re likely to spend the most time in,” Kraft said. Rita Brokhman, a second-year in computer science and engineering, said she was able to maintain a clean space by creating a system that works for her, which begins with laundry because it takes the longest. She then takes out the trash, sweeps or vacuums the floor and disinfects any surfaces with sanitation wipes. “I swiffer with the Swiffer WetJet, and then I also disinfect any surfaces with some sanitation wipes,” Brokham said. “And then I vacuum and use the broom some-
times if it gets really built up.” Brokhman said she occasionally listens to upbeat music with a steady tempo like pop or rap to help motivate her to clean, but her desire for cleanliness helps her keep up with her system. “A lot of the time my motivation comes from me being particular about it, so I keep it clean just to have a better space,” Brokhman said. Creating a cleaning system can also help students tackle their living space more effectively and keep up a cleaning frequency that prevents a tedious deep cleaning in the future, like wiping down the bathroom nightly after showering to prevent mold growth, Kraft said. “If you don’t stay on top of it and keep things clean regularly, this can lead to a much longer cleaning process later,” Kraft said.
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Thursday, February 1, 2024 | The Lantern | 3
North Campus dorms experience extreme temperatures By Brooke Tacsar Lantern Reporter
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tudents living in residential dorms on North Campus have been experiencing abnormally high and low temperatures this academic year, with some students enduring temperatures as high as 84 degrees and as low as 54 degrees. The newest dorms, located in the North Residential District and completed in 2016, use a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, Dave Isaacs, Student Life communications and media relations manager, said. These buildings use fan coil and passive valance systems, which allow the buildings to use minimal energy to heat or cool the dorms. Some students, including Natalia Cymbal, a second-year in mechanical engineering living in Bowen House, have grown used to their room temperatures being around 77 degrees every day and sometimes reaching as high as 84 degrees. “It’s uncomfortable that it’s constantly 70-some degrees in this room,” Cymbal said. “I think part of the reason everyone is frustrated is because we don’t understand it.” The system either moves warm room air over evaporator coils, absorbing the air’s heat to cool and eject the heat out of the building, or cold room air through heating coils that transfer the absorbed heat from the heat pumps or boilers into the building, Isaacs said. Older dorms on North Campus, such as Taylor Tower, which was built in 1966, were renovated and have slightly different sys-
tems due to their design differences. All thermostats are programmed to regulate the temperatures within the buildings, limiting a student’s ability to adjust the thermostat outside of 69 and 75 degrees in warm weather and 65 and 71 degrees in cold weather, Isaacs said. That temperature limitation varies throughout the older dorms on North Campus based on equipment technologies. Isaacs said the set limits of thermostats are based on comfort zones, energy efficiency and conservation efforts and industry standards. If a student is experiencing room temperatures outside of the thermostat’s range limits, then they should make a service request through Service2Facilities to have it looked at by a maintenance worker, Isaacs said. “That’s the easiest first step and honestly, in looking through the system, we have not gotten complaints,” Isaacs said. Students say otherwise. Cymbal said she and her roommates were submitting a service request once every two weeks at the beginning of the academic year, reaching a total of five separate requests, some of which were said to be completed despite a maintenance worker never coming to the dorm. Madison Zimmerly, a second-year in biochemistry living in Taylor Tower, said she has put in three service requests this academic year for abnormal room temperatures and has also experienced her requests being marked as complete, even though a worker never came to the dorm. “We’ve had some pretty nasty service request response times,” Zimmerly said. “I get annoyed when they
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just dismiss it rather than coming to at least check that we are not lying to them, that we have a problem or that we would like to get something checked.” Zimmerly’s room temperatures, however, are the opposite of Cymbal’s, reaching as low as 54 degrees during a night when it was 7 degrees outside.
Residential housing options vary in cost and amenities, with some dorms operating with no air conditioning, but at a lower cost for students. Though Zimmerly is in a dorm with air conditioning, she said she’s frustrated that an amenity she is paying for isn’t working properly.
“Compared to no air conditioning, [Taylor Tower] is an upgrade, but the extreme [temperatures] are pretty inconvenient and I would like to see Ohio State get them fixed,” Zimmerly said. Both Cymbal and Zimmerly said their frustrations would have been lessened if the heating and air conditioning system had been explained to them before moving in. “I feel if there was something simply like an email or little instructions next to the thermostat control so there was something I could read to really understand what’s going on before I had to call them several times, then I would be a lot happier,” Cymbal said. Isaacs said the university is currently working on adding such instructions next to every thermostat in the North Campus residential dorms by fall to explain the heating and air conditioning system and help students better understand it.
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Thursday, February 1, 2024 | The Lantern | 5
The struggles of finding affordable and wheelchairaccessible off-campus housing By Sophie Malynn Lantern Reporter
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he race to find off-campus housing is already difficult enough, but for students with mobility-based disabilities, the search is even harder. Every year students start their search for off-campus housing earlier and earlier. Trying to find somewhere to live that is affordable, in a desirable location, fits personal styles and can house the desired amount of people is already a challenge. Adding in the factor of meeting accessibility needs leaves even fewer options for students with disabilities. “I’m currently living off-campus in a first-floor, one-bedroom studio and it does not meet my needs really at all,” Aubrie Brandon, a third-year in social work with a minor in disability studies, said. Brandon, an ambulatory wheelchair user, lives in an apartment building that does not have any elevators, and reaching the first floor requires going up and down stairs and through doors that are not wide enough to fit her wheelchair straight on, Brandon said. “I chose to live here because it’s the only place I can afford,” Brandon said. “Access had to come secondary.” According to a September 2023 Urban Land survey, less than 1% of housing in the United States is wheelchair accessible. Students looking for help in their search for accessible off-campus housing are encouraged to check out the Ohio State Off-Campus Housing Network website, which has available search terms for wheelchair accessibility. Property owners within the network can list their properties’ information, but Ohio State cannot guarantee their accuracy, Dave Isaacs, Student Life communications and media relations manager, said. “Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement works collaboratively with Student Life Disability
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Off-campus housing near Ohio State, located on West Norwich Avenue and Neil Avenue, is one of the many student housing developments near the university.
Services to assist students on their individual searches,” Isaacs said. “OCCSE offers housing consultations for any student who would like additional assistance navigating the search process to find a place to live.” Although there is some help the university can provide, ultimately it is up to each student to work with property owners and managers to find off-campus housing that meets their needs, Isaacs said. When most students start their search for off-campus housing it typically starts in September, but
Brandon said she began hers in May due to the struggle to find affordable and accessible housing. Brandon is also a member of Buckeyes for Accessibility, a student-run organization that works with administration to improve accessibility resources and policies while also creating community space for students to support one another, vent or just have fun. Many students in the organization have faced similar problems with off-campus housing, Brandon said. “It’s a struggle for everyone at OSU living off-campus to find housing, but
to find housing that’s accessible and affordable is next to impossible,” Brandon said. “When you do find a unit that by some miracle meets [The Americans with Disabilities Act] standards, it’s going to be astronomical in price.” Brandon said she advises students with accessibility needs to start their search as early as possible. Contact leasing agencies, talk to them in person and do not let up. “I get that they’re busy, but you need a place to live,” Brandon said. “I get everybody else needs a place to live too, but I think they often overlook us.”
6 | The Lantern | Thursday, February 1, 2024
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What’s Up: How to overcome 5 common household headaches without breaking the bank oil and pyrethrin as particularly quick-acting and effective insecticides that are generally human-friendly. Faulty furnace
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By Emma Wozniak Asst. Arts & Life Editor
reach landlords or pricey professionals.
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Though the occasional fly or spider may not warrant a call to the exterminator, recurring appearances from icky insects are enough for many to take matters into their own hands. Whether it’s cockroaches, ants or stink bugs, there are many steps one can take before defaulting to an expensive visit from pest control. According to Raid’s website, the first step is identifying the particular pest inhabiting your home. If the species is difficult to determine, Raid’s insect identification tool can assist by asking a handful of questions pertaining to the bugs’ activity, and then presenting images of potential species whose behavior aligns with
fter a draining day of classes, there really is no place like home. That is unless your home is a rat-infested, leaking ice box with a dysfunctional toilet and thriving ant colony. Like many other “adulting” activities, managing a home is not an experience most college students have entering university. While the internet can be a helpful resource in navigating maintenance mishaps, it can feel overwhelming as a firsttime renter to see lengthy instructions littered with unfamiliar jargon. Below is a list of five frequent household hurdles college students may have to confront, with simple solutions to attempt before resorting to hard-to-
Pesky pests
what’s described in the questionnaire. Once the user matches the bugs in their home to one of the tool-generated species, the resource provides more detailed information about the respective insect, including where it lives, what it wants from humans, why it poses a problem and tips to prevent future entry. For more immediate assistance, Orto recommends sealing any cracks in windows and doors using caulk or weather strips, storing all food in tightly sealed containers, drying any damp areas and using aerosol pesticide products to kill all visible bugs, according to its website. Safer Home’s website states natural repellants like lavender and peppermint oil can be sprayed throughout the home to drive away certain insects. The website also recommends diatomaceous earth, neem
In the thick of winter, the thought of returning from a frigid walk around campus to an even more frigid home is chilling, in more ways than one. If the culprit of your chilled home is a broken furnace, there are a few quick fixes to attempt before dropping hundreds on an HVAC — heating, ventilation and air conditioning — technician. According to Accurate Heating, Cooling & Plumbing — an HVAC contractor based in Central Ohio — residents should first confirm their furnace power switch is flipped on. If it has been accidentally switched off, flip it back on and wait a few minutes for the machine to begin working, the contractor’s website states. After confirming both the furnace and thermostat are on, the website suggests house residents investigate their circuit breakers, furnace gas valves, air filters and exhaust vents to ensure the home’s electricity and gas are properly functioning. Moreover, they should certify that airflow to and from the heater isn’t restricted by heat or pressure buildup. Unfortunately, remedying a malfunctioning furnace often cannot be solved by the mere flip of a switch or cleaning of an air duct. If a repairman must be called, there are ways to keep warm within an unheated home in the meantime. For example, United Heating Cooling and Plumbing’s website advises residents to insulate their homes by caulking any gaps in windowpanes and covering the windows with towels, curtains or even plastic.
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 Additional temporary measures include closing the doors to unused rooms, keeping a constant stream of warm water running through major pipes to prevent freezing, clustering with roommates in one room to hinder the heat from dispersing around the home and even using other appliances like blow dryers as a heat source, United’s website states. Squirrels and raccoons and rats, oh my! Whether it be through chimneys, roof vents or holes in siding, it can be inconveniently easy for unwanted critters to invade homes. In the unfortunate event that neither a landlord nor animal control can come to the rescue soon enough, there are a few solutions one can undertake to keep the creature from wreaking home havoc before a specialist can arrive. Generally speaking, Wildlife Removal USA’s website states the best way to eliminate animals from a home is by identifying entry points, installing traps in those locations and sealing the holes once the creature has been removed. Contrary to what many may presume, the website explains that various animal-repellent products actually tend to be ineffective, though those made from the creature’s natural predator scent are better than others. Similarly, devices like ultrasonic sound emitters are thought to irritate certain critters’ hearing, but such technology is often unsuccessful in actually deterring the animals from one’s home. Wildlife Removal USA ultimately proposes calling a professional to safely remove the creature(s) themselves, or at least contacting local animal control offices for humane, DIY suggestions. More information about removing specific species — including bats, birds, opossums, raccoons, rats, snakes and squirrels — can be found at the bottom of Wildlife Removal USA’s webpage. Troublesome toilet Being a toilet in a college home can’t be easy. The typical wear and tear
Thursday, February 1, 2024 | The Lantern | 9
undergone by the fixture can only be multiplied in homes with numerous residents limited to one singular appliance. Luckily, there are a variety of DIY repairs to attempt before needing to phone a landlord or pricey plumber. In the event of a blocked toilet — which usually results from unwelcome materials or objects finding their way into the appliance — YourRepair’s website simply advises declogging with a plunger. If this doesn’t shift the obstruction, a professional’s expertise is likely needed. If you open the top of your toilet’s cistern and find there is no water, Stevenson Service Experts’ website suggests confirming the water in your home is on and the shut-off valve behind the toilet is in the open position. Once the water supply is found to be functional, the next step is adjusting and cleaning the fill valve, which may have slipped out of place. If the tank still isn’t filling with water, calling in a professional is likely the best path forward. Until then, however, YourRepair advises pouring a bucket of water into the bowl as a temporary solution to enable flushing. For a toilet handle that has become disconnected from the flushing mechanism, Lowe’s offers step-by-step instructions involving turning off the water, disconnecting the bowl’s lift chain from the flush rod, unscrewing the handle nut inside the tank to remove the handle, installing a new handle and reattaching the lift chain to the flush rod, taking the time to test the attachment so the chain is neither too lose nor too tight. The flapper — the valve that sits at the bottom of the tank and allows water to flow out of the toilet — may be damaged if the toilet’s water is continually flowing and the tank never fills. In this situation, the flapper needs to be replaced. The Spruce offers photo-accompanied instructions for flapper reinstallment, which can be found on its website. Unlucky leaks From faucets to ceilings to walls, leaks can present themselves within a home’s infrastructure in a handful of distinct — but equally irritating —
ways. According to Superior Plumbing & Drains, LLC’s website, some common explanations for water leaks include a too-high water pressure, the rusting of water pipes, the house’s foundation naturally shifting with time, clogs in plumbing pipes and sudden fluctuations in outdoor temperature. For a leaky sink faucet, Home Depot’s website offers step-by-step instructions to resolve the issue, which consist of shutting off the sink’s water supply, removing the faucet handle and cartridge, replacing the cartridge and reattaching the handle. Leaky shower and bathtub faucets are slightly more complicated to repair, potentially requiring a screwdriver or needle nose pliers. Leaky ceilings tend to have one of two culprits: a plumbing problem or a roof issue. According to Forbes Home, the former is likely if the leak occurs through the ceiling below a shower or toilet, and the latter if the leak follows heavy bouts of rain. If you see a bulging ceiling, falling drywall or hear the ceiling straining, the website encourages clearing the area and calling a professional — either
a roofer or plumber — immediately. Otherwise, Forbes Home’s website suggests it’s imperative to first catch the water with a large bucket to prevent furniture or flooring damage. The next step is controlling the water flow; if there is a plumbing problem, either prohibit water use in the particular area of the leak or turn off the main water line and open a faucet on your home’s lowest level to drain residual water. If there is a roofing issue causing leaks from multiple spots, a sharp tool should be used to create a hole in the ceiling and force water out through one source. The Family Handyman’s website offers thorough instructions for fixing a variety of plumbing issues, such as shower, sink rim, toilet or tile leaks. For roof-related leaks, Today’s Homeowner similarly provides a step-by-step guide to fixing a damaged roof via its website.
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 Hannah Baker, a third-year in communications, also credited her eclectic interior design to thrifting. “With my apartment, my whole goal is to have a space where I can make memories, and bring people and celebrate everyone’s accomplishments,” Baker said. “Secondhand shopping is
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the only reason I’m able to do all of WKLV ,W¶V WKH PRVW D̆RUGDEOH ZD\ WR decorate a space.” Even if renters are strapped for extra cash, Clay and Michalski said low-budget apartment accessories are often close at hand. Notes from loved ones, movie ticket stubs, vinyl records, postcards and spare fabric pieces can all be thoughtfully arranged in a gallery-wall
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format, they said. “I see things and I’m like, ‘OK, well this is beautiful. How can we make this a decoration?’” Michalski said. “Now, I’ll collect tags that I think are cute.” Clay said photographs are similarly easy to elevate, whether they are IUDPHG RU VLPSO\ FRQ¿QHG WR RQH FRhesive color palette. Plus, most CVS Pharmacy storefronts — including those located at 2160 N. High St. and 1634 Neil Ave. — currently sell 4-by-6inch prints starting at 25 cents each. “Personally, I can only have pictures on the wall if I like the colors,” Clay said. “But if you really like a picture still, just put them all in black and white.” When it comes to wood furnishings, Baker said the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store and Donation Center at 5969 E. Main St. is her go-to spot. 2QH RI KHU DOO WLPH IDYRULWH ¿QGV D nine-drawer oak dresser with partial rattan lining, was purchased there. While this dresser took nearly a week to revamp, Baker said enhancing its vintage charm was its own reward. Moreover, she acquired a piece she can treasure and restyle for years down the line.
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“I got it for $50, $45,” Baker said. “We resanded the entire thing, restained it, polished all the hardware on it. So there’s a lot of love in that piece.” Students looking to thrift wood
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furniture should keep an eye out for dovetail joints, Baker said. These woodworking joints, visually identi¿DEOH GXH WR WKHLU LQWHUORFNLQJ VKDSH DUH UHPLQLVFHQW RI SX]]OH SLHFHV ¿WWLQJ together. “It’s one of the most secure ways to build dressers,” Baker said. “If you can see [dovetail joints] in any wooden drawers, you know that dresser is very good quality and will probably last you a long time.” Another decorative strategy is creating “dupes” of more costly items. BakHU VDLG KHU VHOI DVVHPEOHG FR̆HH WDEOH — which consists of a wooden circle fastened to a spray-painted pot, both sourced from Lowe’s — was modeled after high-end tables she scoped out online. “I always like things that are expensive, and it never works out well for PH ´ %DNHU VDLG ³, DOZD\V KDYH WR ¿QG a way around it.” If a DIY project sounds too daunting, Michalski said one cannot go wrong with exhibiting comfort objects. ³:H¶UH KXJH VWX̆HG DQLPDO SHRSOH ´
Thursday, February 1, 2024 | The Lantern | 11
MOLLY GOHEEN | MANAGING EDITOR FOR DIGITAL CONTENT
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time.” Baker said adding sentimental touches, no matter how simple they may be, is always worthwhile. Showcasing her matchbook collection and keeping a VFUDSERRN RQ WKH FR̆HH WDEOH KHOSV WKH
apartment feel warmer, she said. ³,W GH¿QLWHO\ DGGV D ORW RI SHUVRQDOization to your space and doesn’t make it look like it’s just a showroom,” Baker said. “You’ll want to have some character and see yourself in your space. I would 100% recommend incorporating little things here and there when you can.” Clay and Michalski ultimately said students should build their dream residence one piece at a time. Though VHFRQGKDQG VKRSSLQJ D̆RUGV EX\HUV more environmental consciousness, excessive thrifting can still lead to overconsumption. “Just treat it like normal shopping,” Clay said. “Only buy what you resonate with.” Baker agreed. “Don’t be afraid to go to the thrift VWRUH DQG ¿QG QRWKLQJ ´ %DNHU VDLG ³, do it all the time, and it is disappointing, but I wouldn’t say buy something just to buy it. Make sure you love it because it’ll end up helping your space come together in the end.”
Itty bitty living space, limitless potential Renters discuss attainable and aesthetic decor %\ /XF\ /DZOHU Arts & Life Editor For Arianna Clay, a fourth-year in ¿QDQFH GHFRUDWLQJ LV HTXDO SDUWV GHliberate and spontaneous. “If I like a page in a magazine, I’ll rip it out,” Clay said. 6WLOO PDNLQJ R̆ FDPSXV KRXVLQJ feel homey rather than haggard can be a challenge. Clay — along with her roommate Helena Michalski, a fourthyear in dance — said repurposing preowned furniture and everyday “scrap” materials are the best ways to get started.
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