2008 Woodie Awards
Explosion effects felt across campus
Sarah Kloepping & Jerica Harvey
Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: News
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The April 16 blast damaged a major valve in the steam system on campus causing all buildings to lose heat and hot water. Esker Dining Hall was also closed for five days, and students living on the east side of campus near Wells residence halls had to walk to either Drumlin Dining Hall or the University Center.
Student Services Program Manager of Residence Life Terry Tumbarello said the university accommodated students in the best ways possible. The Athletic Services building was open for students living in the residence halls to take hot showers until the steam valve is fixed, because it isn't connected to the same pipeline.
"I've been incredibly happy with how positive and good natured students have been," Tumbarello said. "It's clearly not ideal but I'm hearing from everybody it's not the end of the world and they know this is something that happened that nobody planned for. We're doing the best we can to get through it."
Sophomore Thomas Sisulak said he would not walk from his dorm to the athletic building just to take a shower.
"I can take being cold for five minutes," Sisulak said. "Personally if it involves having to arrange that into your schedule, because there are only set hours to take a shower, to me it's not worth it."
Courtney Bunderson, an administrative assistant at the Athletic Services Complex said only about 15 students used the showers during her shift on Monday from about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Keiva Coppage, a freshman living in Knilans, said she used the showers despite the fact that the showers are communal.
"It's an adjustment for people who don't want to broadcast their bodies, but I've been coping," Coppage said. "I think that's the main reason. And I think because of the walk too, I've heard people say, 'I'd rather take cold showers than walk.'"
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