Air purifiers have also disappeared from University dormitories.
While walking through campus in July, Christopher Vanderpool ’24 stumbled upon an unexpected scene: dozens of air purifiers in a dumpster.
“That was my first (piece of) knowledge that we probably weren’t going to have air purifiers again,” he said, adding that he “expected some sort of communication from the University.”
Vanderpool noted that, in his opinion, the air purifiers contributed to community health and safety for students living on campus.
The air purifier "kept the room feeling a little fresher, and I knew there was clean air coming out of it,” he said. “There are still people who are immunocompromised who take a lot of precautions when it comes to COVID, and I think the air purifiers are an important tool for people to feel as comfortable and safe as possible.”
Blain similarly described the absence of air purifiers as “strange,” adding that there should be an opt-in system available for students who would prefer having one in their on-campus housing unit.
“I’m sure there are some people who are still concerned about COVID and want clean air in their rooms,” he said.
After discovering that the air purifiers had been thrown away, Vanderpool recalled reflecting on the University’s manner of disposing of them.
“I think there’s a better way to dispose (of) electronics, especially air purifiers,” he said. “I don’t think the proper way is to just toss them away in the dumpster like that.”
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