William Paterson University’s Hillside Hall is facing renewed scrutiny as students report mice sightings and unsanitary living conditions, raising concerns about the quality of on-campus housing. Despite university statements that the building is being cleaned and treated, residents say the conditions inside tell a different story.

Earlier this week, Residence Life notified students by email that Hillside is “currently experiencing a pest control issue related to mice.” The message said Residence Life, Physical Plant Operations and an outside extermination company have been treating affected rooms, sanitizing trash areas and conducting follow-up inspections. Students were encouraged to submit work orders if they noticed additional problems.

But several residents say the building feels far from maintained. Alongside mice sightings, students describe Hillside as dirty, musty and frequently neglected.

Freshman resident Peter Hammerle said he was unaware of any mouse issue before receiving the alert.

“No, I did not know that there were mice in Hillside before, and I think it’s pretty disgusting,” he said.

Hammerle said the overall cleanliness of the dorm has also made living there uncomfortable.

“I personally don’t like to stay in my residence because I think the other dorm buildings are a lot nicer than Hillside… The hallways are kind of just, like, musty,” he said.

“There’s just, like, hair on the walls, and it smells bad.”

Students have also reported bandages stuck on walls, dirty floors that appear rarely cleaned and persistent odors, despite the university’s claim that maintenance and sanitation efforts have increased.

When asked if he has ever seen staff clean the hallways, Hammerle said, “I don’t think so. I’ve never really seen anyone clean it.”

The complaints echo those from Century Hall last semester, when residents reported mice entering rooms, chewing through food and leaving droppings on desks, beds and personal belongings. Several students said work orders were ignored or delayed for weeks.

One student, Nasir Snipes-Guzman, said he returned from break to find “all of my snacks have been run through, and they pooped everywhere: on my desk and even my bed.” Another resident, Trinity Bowling, said mice chewed through her shoes and left droppings throughout her room, describing the experience as stressful and disappointing.

With the issue resurfacing in Hillside, students worry the university is not taking meaningful long-term action to address persistent sanitation and maintenance concerns across campus housing.

As Hillside residents continue reporting mice, unclean hallways and neglected common spaces, many say their living conditions fall short of what they pay for. While Residence Life has urged students to submit detailed work orders, residents say they hope their concerns result in lasting improvements rather than temporary fixes.

For now, Hillside students say they are waiting for visible change — and for their dorm to become as clean and safe as the university claims.