St. Edward’s University officials dispute claims made in a lawsuit filed by a former student athlete who alleges that dangerous mold exposure in campus housing caused serious health complications.
Lisa L. Kirkpatrick, vice president for student affairs and administration, addressed the campus community in a statement sent to students, staff and faculty Wednesday evening following Monday’s filing in Travis County District Court.
“We are a community built on care and mutual support,” Kirkpatrick said. “The health and well-being of our students is a foundation and priority of our community. Based on university findings and third-party testing, we do not agree with the claims being put forth by the student’s legal team.”
According to KXAN, Ainsley Thunell, who played on the women’s basketball team from 2021 to 2024 on a full athletic scholarship, filed the suit alleging that mold in her on campus apartment on Woodward Street in Austin prevented her from completing her degree.
KXAN reports that Thunell began experiencing health problems after moving into the unit, including respiratory infections, hair loss, fatigue and neurological issues. She was later diagnosed with Sjogren’s and Reynaud’s syndromes, both autoimmune diseases.
The lawsuit alleges the university failed to conduct proper inspections or remediation despite multiple complaints about water damage and visible mold. Independent testing, at the request of Thunell’s medical providers, was conducted after she left the apartment in November 2024. The testing reportedly found her bedroom had 9,930 mold spores per cubic meter compared with 1,973 spores per cubic meter in outdoor control samples.
University safety protocols
Kirkpatrick outlined the university’s safety measures in her statement, including regular health and safety inspections performed each semester and a responsive maintenance system.
“We encourage any resident who has a concern about their living space to report it and submit a work order request,” she said. ”All work order requests are taken seriously, prioritized and addressed in a timely manner.”
The university official emphasized the institution’s commitment to student welfare.
“I want to be clear that we take student health concerns seriously, with care and compassion,” Kirkpatrick said in Wednesday’s email. “We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure St. Edward’s University is a safe, supportive and healthy home for all.”
The legal allegations
According to KXAN, the lawsuit, filed by attorneys with Just Well Law, claims university staff attempted to address mold concerns by spraying chemicals into the HVAC system and painting over visible mold rather than conducting professional remediation.
Thunell had received recognition from the university just months before the alleged health crisis. She received a servant-leadership award in May for her leadership on and off the basketball court.
This is a developing story. Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
