Howard University has blamed campus layoffs on students protesting housing conditions, the school said on Tuesday.   

In a tweet, Howard University said: “We’re sad to report the occupation of Blackburn has led to an unintended consequence for the HU community. Due to the café being closed, some Sodexo workers have been laid off. We are committed to working with our students to avoid more repercussions like this one.”  

For weeks, over 150 students have staged a sit-in at the Armour J. Blackburn University Center to draw attention to the housing conditions that students at the HBCU have been subjected to, including living with rats, roaches, mushrooms and mold, according to FOX 5 DC.   

Students have demanded that the school update its housing plan before classes start next year and to include former students on the board of trustees, CBS News reported.

Howard University’s vice president of student affairs, Cynthia Evers, said in a statement the university invited health inspectors, students, parents and public officials to look at the residence halls.   

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“We have created these opportunities not only as a good faith effort to demonstrate that the University is not attempting to conceal any information from the public, but also to uncover any overlooked problems and establish regular channels of communication among a diversity of individuals with different perspectives and areas of expertise,” Evers said.   

Howard University was criticized on social media over its tweet, with some saying it was “inappropriate.”