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Student Union Closure: What We Know

Wright State University Student Union | Photo by Marissa Couch | The Wright State Guardian

Wright State University Student Union | Photo by Marissa Couch | The Wright State Guardian


Wright State University (WSU) experienced campus-wide power outages, building closures and class cancellations Tuesday. After a full day of classes, many questions are still circulating about the extent of the damage and when students can expect the Student Union to reopen.

Why is the Student Union Closed?

The Student Union is closed due to an electrical fire that occurred in the main electrical room resulting in water and smoke damage.

According to Seth Bauguess, WSU director of communications, there was some electrical short or fire that caused substantial smoke. The smoke then triggered sprinklers inside the union.

How substantial is the damage to the student union?

At this point in time, the extent of the damage is unknown. The sprinklers went off for a substantial amount of time, causing water damage.

According to Bauguess, sprinklers only went off in the main electrical room and water damage was confined to that space.

The duration and timeline of the fire and sprinklers are unknown. However, the power outage affecting most buildings on campus occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m. on August 23, according to a campus-wide email.

The electrical issues are believed to be the cause of the power outages that affected the campus.

At 9:47 a.m., another email was sent to the campus community that the Student Union, Joshi Research Center and Student Success Center were the only buildings still affected by the power outage and related damage.

When will the Student Union reopen?

Maintenance crews are working to resolve the issue. Officials have not released a timeframe to reopen the Student Union nor the damage’s extent.

It is also unknown the total cost of damages or resources lost inside the building. No injuries have been reported, according to Bauguess.

What contingency plans are being made?

Offices that usually operate out of the Student Union are making plans to continue operations.

Other events taking place in the union such as student organization meetings, tabling events and more are in the process of being moved to different locations.

Where can students pick up their books?

Students who ordered textbooks from the Wright State Bookstore can pick them up beginning August 25 at 9 a.m. at 116 Allyn Hall.

Those needing a Wright1 Card can visit the CaTS Help Desk in the basement of Dunbar Library, 025 Library Annex.

What if a student’s class is in the Student Success Center or Joshi?

Classes in the Student Success Center or Joshi Research Center are being moved to different locations due to a lack of air conditioning.

“The outage resulted in significant damage to the cooling towers supplying conditioned air to both buildings,” according to a campus-wide email.

These classes will be moved to other campus buildings on Wednesday, Aug. 25. At this time the only day classes are confirmed to be moving locations is Wednesday.

Students are advised to contact their professor about alternate class locations.


Makenzie Hoeferlin

Editor-in-Chief

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