MSU leaders provide power plant update, answer questions

Michigan State University President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D., was joined by campus leaders today at a news conference to provide an update on progress and share the status of campus operations following a widespread power outage over the weekend.

“Our facilities and utility teams have made significant progress over the past 48 hours,” said Guskiewicz. “Restoring systems across a campus of Michigan State University’s size and complexity requires a phased approach to ensure that buildings can safely and reliably return to normal operations. We know the inconvenience and disruption caused by the outage and the resulting conditions on campus, and I want to assure the campus community that we are working as quickly and as diligently as possible to fully restore normal operations.”

The ongoing phases of restoration to steam, hot water and temperature systems are driven by the underlying infrastructure. Reintroduction of these systems, which could take up to a week, requires work to be completed first from east to west across campus, then focusing from south of the Red Cedar River as it travels through north campus. As systems are restored, some buildings may need additional cleanup and maintenance, which will require more time to ensure consistent service and appropriate building conditions.

Given the phased return process, some classes will continue to be delivered remotely through portions of this week. Academic units will communicate directly with students and employees regarding any changes affecting specific courses, facilities or operations.

Many administrative units have adjusted work modalities through Monday, Sept. 21, to avoid overburdening campus systems as they gradually come back online. Based on progress made since Sunday, Sept. 20, MSU’s administrative work functions on campus can fully resume on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

MSU has created a website to serve as a central source of information about the power plant outage. The website will include regular updates to the campus community regarding buildings and regions of campus as they resume normal operations, including residence halls.

Guskiewicz was joined by Kenneth McFarlane, associate vice president for Strategic Infrastructure Planning and Facilities, or IPF, and Patricia Martinez, associate vice president for Residential and Hospitality Services, or RHS. McFarlane provided an update on infrastructure restoration and ongoing efforts by IPF. Martinez shared efforts by RHS to provide support to students in residence halls and noted there has been no interruption to dining services.