Sep 24, 2009 6:03 am US/Eastern
John Jay College Overrun By Bed Bugs
Students At School Of Criminal Justice Furious After Being Told By E-Mail Of Nasty Critter 'Condition' In Several Offices
Bugs Take Over Admissions, Financial Aid & Registrar, Among Others
North Hall Closed, Effective Immediately
By JOHN METAXAS, CBS 2 HD News
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
It's an unusual problem that's bugging some college students in Manhattan.
Several areas of John Jay College of Criminal Justice are infested with bed bugs.
Students at John Jay reacted sharply Wednesday night to the news bed bugs have invaded the first floor of the school's North Hall complex.
"That's disgusting. That's disgusting. I didn't even know until now. We could bring them home with us. They shouldn't even let us in," student Juana Abreu said.
The word came in a mass e-mail identifying several offices, including admissions, financial aid, health, student government, the registrar and a conference room as among those that have -- not an infestation -- but rather in the words of the email, a bed bug condition.
Diaz said he's already been bitten. He showed CBS 2 HD the bite.
While bed bugs are more often associated with hotels and mattresses, experts said they are a growing problem in the city in offices and other commercial buildings, often spreading through light switches, and electrical outlets.
"Bed bugs will use these as highways and get on the wiring and go from one room to another," said Louis Sorkin, an entomologist at the Museum of Natural History.
The college said it is treating the issue seriously and spraying on Saturday to avoid disruption to classes, but many students feel with bed bugs still in the building, they are at risk of being bitten.
"I'm concerned. I don't want to go home and infect my family. They spread easily," student David Hanchi said.
Meanwhile, John Jay College President Jeremy Travis sent a statement to the college community, telling students and faculty that the North Hall will now be closed effective immediately. The treatment originally scheduled for Saturday has been moved up as a result of the new findings.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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