MSU encourages remote classes, work amid campus hot water disruption

Due to a recent power outage, Michigan State University is without hot water across the majority of campus, and the university is encouraging remote classes for students and remote work for most employees on its East Lansing campus beginning today at 9 a.m. and continuing through Monday, Sept. 21, at 11 p.m.

“I want to extend my sincere appreciation to members of our campus community for their patience and understanding as we diligently work to restore normal operations,” said President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. “I know how inconvenient this interruption of services is for members of our community, and I want to assure them we are doing everything we can to resolve issues at the power plant. Spartans are resilient, and I know we can navigate these short-term challenges with the support of campus staff, faculty and leaders.”

On Sept. 19, a problem was identified with a power bus, which is a central connection point at the T. B. Simon Power Plant on campus. This resulted in a loss of connection to necessary power supplied to the power plant, halting the ability of the plant to generate electricity and steam to campus buildings. MSU experienced a campuswide power outage that lasted several hours. During the outage, MSU deployed generators across campus to support safety, security and emergency response operations.

Power restoration on campus is a careful and methodical process, bringing multiple circuits online and resetting numerous systems in buildings. The T.B. Simon Power Plant converts energy from natural gas into steam and electricity, which is used for building functions such as heating and cooling. Steam for use in HVAC and electric power are transmitted through a steam distribution network, which connects to more than 100 MSU buildings.

Crews from Infrastructure Planning and Facilities, or IPF, have been on site at the plant working to fix the problem and restore incoming power from Consumers Energy, bringing the plant partially back online. As a consequence of the extended outage, condensation built up in the steam distribution system and is affecting the ability to deliver hot water to campus. Roughly 80% of the square footage of buildings on MSU’s campus rely on steam for hot water, including residence halls and dining facilities. While hot water will be impacted, students will still have access to dining services while the university works to bring the system back online.

University leaders are working closely with IPF, the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety, Emergency Management, public health officials and utility partners to monitor conditions and determine when it is appropriate to resume normal operations. The safety and well-being of the campus community is MSU’s top priority, and the university is confident in its ability to safely deliver services during this temporary circumstance.

University leadership will continue to update the community on the progress of hot water restoration as crews work around the clock.