This week, students at Hampton University held a town hall meeting with administrators to discuss grievances they have with the school, its policies and its administration. 

A current Hampton student who attended the meeting told Blavity that during the town hall, many students expressed their concerns regarding health inspection flags, moldy dorm rooms, being served spoiled foods and  receiving inadequate support for shooting and sexual assault victims. 

"Students brought up the cafe situation, how students have been finding bugs in their food, spoiled foods, and even a METAL GEAR in pasta," current student Aleem Mims told Blavity. "Another student brought up a mold situation in her room which had gotten so bad that she had developed a case of laryngitis. Mold had formed due to her room flooding, and the mold had made its way around the room and eventually into the climate control unit." 

"I have witnessed mold infestations remain untreated for weeks. I have seen roaches/mice crawling around dorms as if they also attend HU," he added. Mims also shared moments from the meeting on Twitter by using the hashtag #HUTownHall.

On Wednesday, a Hampton University student named Alesia also aired out her grievances with the university by drawing attention to the "inedible" food allegedly served in the school's cafe and mold reportedly growing in several of the school's buildings. 

Following the tweet, the hashtag #HUTownHall buzzed about Twitter with current students and alumni chiming in to share their thoughts and experiences:

Many wrote that they believe the administration is a large part of the school's problems: 

Mims said students have previously tried addressing the issues with the school's student government association, but no progress has been made.

"We have spoken with SGA and other administrators, but the fact of the matter is that they simply do not care," he said. "This town hall meeting was the only time students had the opportunity to speak with the administration and voice their concerns, and they were up there on their phones laughing as if it were a joke." 

Students at other HBCUs showed their support; and some claimed that they are facing the same issues:

Some alumni were concerned about the news and offered to help. One recent Hampton graduate, who requested to remain anonymous, told Blavity that the school has long faced issues that went either unheard or unspoken and, for the first time, students are speaking out and being vigilant enough to get some answers.

"At my time at Hampton, I've heard passing allegations on a number of things, but our school never made us feel comfortable enough to ask the questions, challenge the powers that be. For so long Hampton has upheld the 'keep it in the family' mantra, but no more," they said. "It's important to hold our administration accountable and to lend support to the students who pay $40K a year, who are away from their families and support systems, to know that they are heard and seen. I'm just sorry that we didn't have the courage to speak out sooner. I'm empowered by their actions, and the alumni is willing to help in anyway that we can." 

Other alumni members also chimed in online: 

Blavity has reached out to Hampton University officials. We will update this piece should we receive a response. 

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