DeKalb – Students in Stevenson B Tower Residence Hall were left stranded Tuesday morning as a sprinkler pipe burst which caused fire alarms to go off.
Students reported that fire alarms had been going off since 6:45 a.m. which forced them to evacuate the building.
Certain floors of Stevenson B have been flooded as a result of the burst pipe.
An email sent to students around 9:30 a.m. from Residence Hall Director Ashley Kerley said that Stevenson B tower was closed.
“We will update students during the course of the day as repairs and clean up are underway,” Kerley said. “We expect this to be an all day process, but eventually you will be able to return to your rooms.”
Students are now able to access their rooms via the southwest (left) stairwell to remove all items off of their floors. Elevators remain non-operational during this time. Facilities will work throughout the day to remove moisture from residents’ floors as quickly as possible.
In an email to the Northern Star, Jami Kunzer, editorial writer for NIU’s Office of Institutional Communications said, “We are doing everything we can to support and accommodate impacted students, who will be or have been relocated to alternate locations until they can return.”
Students residing in Stevenson B were able to stay in the Stevenson Lobby, cafeteria, Holmes Student Center or any common area to remain out of the below zero conditions outside throughout the day.
Tim Trottier, associate director of Housing for Residential Facilities, provided information to displaced Stevenson residents during a Stevenson B floor meeting.
Rooms on each floor are numbered in similar patterns and are the same style and located the same way on each floor. Trottier said rooms ending in 41 and 39 were the most impacted on each floor.
“We are going to relocate you now, we’re gonna say at least through Friday,” Trottier said.
Over the course of the next week, students will be relocated to other floors of Stevenson, other buildings and if necessary, the Holmes Student Center Hotel.
An email sent to students from Housing and Residential Services said that all rooms affected by the flooding on the ninth floor and down will be assessed by the NIUPD, members of the Heating Plant, Physical Plant and Buildings Services teams, and Belfor Restoration Services for damage. No students will be moved back into these residence rooms until the water is dried out from the ceilings, floors and walls.
NIU will be working with students over the next few days to make their temporary moves manageable while keeping the line of communication open.
“The decision has been made to leave the [fire alarm] system offline until Wednesday morning to give all devices time to dry out and perform properly,” the email from Building Services said. “Members of the NIUPD and Housing and Residential Services will perform walking tours of the Stevenson Complex during this time period to make sure we do not have any safety issues.”
If residents see or witness anything concerning in regards to building safety, it is advised that you call 911 to report the issue immediately.
During the colder months of the year it is stressed to students how important it is to keep windows closed to prevent internal pipes from freezing.
“It’s one of the reasons why if you see on our social media, if you see signs on our floors, that say, ‘Hey, it’s cold outside. Please keep your windows closed, please keep your heat on in your room,’ this is exactly why.” Trottier said.
