Students offered shelter in Alumni after power outage in Red Jacket

Some 500 UB students were offered temporary shelter in Alumni Arena last night after a frozen sprinkler head in the Ellicott Complex caused a power outage in the building.

The incident occurred yesterday 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.

The Crossroads Culinary Center (C3) dining hall also was closed by the outage. Expanded food service was made available to students in other locations, and C3 is expected to reopen at 5 p.m. today.

Campus Living and University Facilities worked throughout the day to resolve the Red Jacket electrical issue. After power was returned late Wednesday night, the buildings were inspected and given time to warm up before students were allowed to return at 7 a.m. today, although hot water was not unavailable until 8 a.m.

Most students found alternative accommodations with friends or relatives overnight. Fewer than 50 students took advantage of the Alumni Arena shelter, according to Andrea Costantino, director of campus living.

Those who stayed in Alumni Arena were kept well supplied with water, snacks, fruit and pizza, and spent the night on cots set up in the triple gym. Residence Life staff and UB Police provided security onsite throughout the night.

Some of the displaced students attended the women’s basketball game against Kent State before calling it a night, with most arriving in the triple gym between 10-11:30 p.m.

“There was a magician and a balloon artist — who was the hit of the night — from 9-11 p.m.,” Costantino said. “Some students chose to keep to themselves, working on their laptop, tablet or phone. Others chose to socialize before claiming a cot for the night.”

UB also offered power strips for student to charge their electronics, which “was their biggest concern,” she noted.

It was lights out at 11:30 p.m. and breakfast was served at 7 a.m.

“There were no issues, concerns or emergencies,” Costantino said. By 8 a.m., all students had left and by 10 a.m. the cots and other equipment had been cleared out of the triple gym.

“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 worked 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 advisers 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.