Frozen sprinkler head causes power outage in UB residence hall

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Some 500 University at Buffalo students will be moved to temporary shelter in Alumni Arena on UB’s North Campus after a frozen sprinkler head in the Ellicott Complex caused a power outage in the building.

The incident occurred this morning in Red Jacket Quadrangle, a residence hall made up of six buildings on the North Campus, and is believed to be related to the recent record-cold weather. The broken sprinkler line resulted in little flooding, although one electrical breaker panel was damaged and shut down affecting electricity and heat in the residence halls. No damage to student belongings was reported.

UB officials will be available at 6:30 p.m. in the Center for Tomorrow on the North Campus to answer questions about the incident and what accommodations are being made available to students.

The Crossroads Culinary Center (C3) dining hall also was closed by the outage. Expanded food service has been made available to students in other locations.  The students will spend the night on cots set up in a secondary gym in Alumni Arena and will be provided food.  UB Police will provide security overnight.

Campus Living and University Facilities are working throughout the night to resolve the issue as soon as possible. After power is returned, the buildings will be inspected and given time to warm up before students return.

“The health and safety of our students is the university’s highest priority,” said Barbara Ricotta, associate vice president for student affairs, University Life and Services. “UB staff are working as quickly and diligently as possible to resolve the problem.  Our students have been understanding and cooperative.

“UB has a very experienced residence life staff and we have emergency plans in place to respond to these situations.”

The affected students were notified about the power outage by their residence advisors and by email and were provided periodic updates throughout the day. Updates also were posted to the UB emergency website.

Red Jacket Quadrangle was completed in February 1974 and is part of the Ellicott Complex.