By Ellie Schuckman
News Editor
Heading to class in the chemistry wing of the Science Complex? Think again. On Monday, Feb. 15, a break in a sprinkler line caused significant damage to the building, shutting down the basement, first and second floors, according to Dave Muha, spokesman for the College.
“To allow for cleanup and because of the lack of fire protection, classes in the chemistry wing have been canceled for (Feb. 15),” Muha said.
A remediation company was brought in for the cleanup, yet it may take a week to repair the damage, according to Muha. He noted that it is possible classes could resume in the building sooner, and that in the meantime, the Chemistry Department is working with Records and Registration to “adjust and reschedule classrooms” for students.
No one was hurt during the incident.
On the same day, Travers and Wolfe halls also suffered water damage as the result of a leak in a sprinkler line on the first floor near the front entrances, Muha said. Student reports, however, state that a steam pipe burst, which resulted in water seeping into a room. The fire alarm was then triggered by the amount of steam in the room.
Around noon on Monday, Feb. 15, the leak flooded parts of the buildings. Approximately two dorm rooms in Travers and nine dorm rooms in Wolfe were flooded, along with sections of the hallways and main lobbies, Muha said.
Freshman psychology major Gigi Garrity said that the first floor of Wolfe had the most damage, but Travers was still affected.
“The worst (Travers) got in terms of flooding was on the high side of (floor) one. Someone’s room had to be cleared out,” Garrity said.
According to student reports, the computer system in the Wolfe Hall Main Office was also down as a result of the flooding.
Building Services worked to clean up the affected areas, while Residential Education worked to coordinate and document damage to the students’ rooms.
“I wanna thank the custodial staff for coming to our rescue so quickly. They deserve nothing but praise,” Garrity said.
