When Otterbein University students return to campus for spring semester Monday, some will be in the middle of moving dorms after a leak caused water damage in a building.
The university emailed students living in Mayne Hall Wednesday that a leak sprung on the building’s third floor sometime over winter break.
The leak caused water damage to a shared lounge and kitchen on the first floor and to residential rooms on the first, second and third floors, according to a letter to those students. The water also caused extensive damage to the building’s fire alarm system.
Mayne Hall, home to Otterbein’s Honors Housing community and Cardinal Science Scholars, is located in the center of campus and houses up to 137 first-year students and resident advisors, according to the university’s website.
University staff had initially hoped to finish renovations to residential rooms before students returned from winter break. But due to the breadth of repairs and the lack of a fire system in the building, Otterbein told Mayne Hall residents they will be moved to alternate housing for spring semester.
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“We know this is an unexpected situation for our Mayne Hall residents, but we are committed to providing staff assistance and logistical support to make your housing transition as smooth as possible,” the email read.
Student Affairs staff started reaching out to individuals Thursday morning to help make alternate arrangements. Students were given an option to stay at a nearby hotel with a roommate for a coupled of weeks before being moved into another campus residence hall or a nearby apartment building that Otterbein will be renting.
Otterbein said most of students’ personal items were protected from the damage because the building is constructed from concrete and stucco. Staff moved some items on the floor to higher locations, but no items were removed or discarded. Students will need to assess their belongings for damage, according to the university.
Contractors assessing the building for renovations said no mold has been detected.
Impacted students and families with additional questions are asked to email mayne@otterbein.edu.
Sheridan Hendrix is a higher education reporter for The Columbus Dispatch. Sign up for Extra Credit, her education newsletter, here.
shendrix@dispatch.com
@sheridan120
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Otterbein University relocating students from dorm after water leak