Clement Closed

A steam pipe malfunction in Clement Hall last weekend displaced about 182 classes yesterday as crews worked to replace ceiling tiles, paneling and equipment.

Calvin Strong, director of custodial landscaping services, estimated that the steam leak caused $300,000 in structural damages to the building.

Strong said he suspected the pipes were old and broke because of irregular steam flow.

"The regular steam line went through a bad bypass that dumped steam into the entire building," he said. "The pipe is located in the basement, but the steam affected every inch of the building."

The steam drenched the ceiling tiles and the walls. The floors were wet but undamaged, Strong said.

Sociology professor Wanda Rushing, whose office is located in Clement Hall, said she went into her office yesterday to grab materials for class and saw that the baseboards were pulled off the wall and the ceiling tiles were being replaced.

"It is an old building, and sometimes pipes mess up," she said. "I think that The University is doing a good job fixing the building. They are working around the clock."

Although The University hasn't finished calculating the damage to equipment, Strong said a technical team was checking computers yesterday.

The University's insurance, which is provided by the state government, will cover damages to U of M property with a $25,000 deductible.

Although the building was scheduled to reopen last week, University officials said in a campus-wide e-mail on Tuesday that the date has been pushed back to Oct. 27.

"Right now we are on schedule, but things lead to other things, so it could change," Strong said.

Some students, like junior English major Jesse Davis, said the e-mail was sent out too late and caused problems for students and faculty.

"I think the announcement was last minute. They should have known how long it was going to take to fix up the building after the accident happened," Davis said.

Both of philosophy professor Kelly Arenson's classes were moved to a different building yesterday, she said. She started classes later than usual to allow students to find their way to the new location.

"Initially, I was worried that students would not find out about classroom relocations until it was too late, but I was very pleased to see that most of my students made it to the new rooms without any problem," she said.

Philosophy adjunct instructor Shelia Hollander had her classes and office relocated.

"I am very pleased by the quick and efficient response to what could have been quite a dilemma for those who teach and have offices in Clement Hall," Hollander said. "The good thing about the damaged ceilings is that they were in need of replacing anyway. The only real inconvenience that I expect to encounter is putting my office back in order."

Provost Ralph Faudree said the provost's office and The U of M division of business and finance have worked together to relocate classes and find temporary offices for Clement faculty and staff.

"It is not just classes that are affected," Faudree said. "The faculty needs their office for advising. There are three departments in Clement that have had to be relocated."

Faudree said some classes have been relocated in workshops and administration meeting rooms.

"In an emergency you have to do what you have to," he said. "Some people are frustrated with all this, but most everyone has been cooperative."

Ann Harbor, director of academic affairs administration, said the first day back from fall break was smooth because University offices worked together.

"We have had volunteers who will stand outside and direct students to where they need to go," she said.

Public relations major Matthew Antwine, whose logic class was relocated to Dunn Hall, said he was eager for repair crew to restore the building.

"I am ready to just go back to Clement and have everything back to normal," he said.