Building reopens; temporary housing furnished for 900 during night of closure
“The fire alarm goes off frequently, so we just assumed it was not a big deal,” Rosso said. “We went to Grand Market and ate dinner until one of my friends called asking whether I was okay because there were fire trucks around Gries.”
According to Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for the Department of Public Safety and Services Connie Tillman, an issue with the electrical system set off the alarm. An electrical part had died, causing the system to start smoking. The entire Griesedieck Complex, containing more than 900 students, had to be evacuated.
“The fire department was called and they declared the building unsafe to occupy overnight,” Tillman said.
Dean of Students Scott Smith said the building was declared unsafe by the fire department due to a default in the fire panel. “When we reset the building, it is my understanding that in some places, the power didn’t come back on and the fire panel didn’t come back on. Without that emergency information that the fire panels provides, it puts the community at risk.”
Resident advisors and staff members took the evacuated students floor by floor into the building and gave them five minutes to gather things for overnight. Residents were encouraged then to call friends and family in the area to find a place to stay.
Rosso said she thought the experience was as organized as it could have been, given the circumstances.
“Luckily, my floor still had power, and we were one of the first people to get our stuff,” Rosso said. “They brought us into the dorm, we counted off, and then we had five minutes to get as much stuff as we could. However, the process was probably much easier for me than for the people on the higher floors who had no power and had to climb up steps.”
Students who were unable to find a place were asked to congregate in DuBourg Hall 157. Transport was provided for them to the Watertower Inn, the Drury Inn on Washington Avenue and the Manresa Center.
“As it turned out, only seven students needed placement,” Tillman said.
The building reopened at 7:00 the next morning, and students were allowed back inside. Maintenance continued throughout the day on the electrical system. The power was shut down again at 2:00 p.m. to ensure everything was in working order.
“I think everyone did a fantastic job,” Tillman said. “Everything went smoothly, and it gave us some good insight as to some things that might need fixing.”
Some students thought more could have been done with the situation.
“I feel like this entire situation has to do with SLU not keeping up with code and not renovating Gries, not making it a priority,” Griesedieck resident freshman Connor Blanquart said.
The incident went smoothly for many students, including Rosso, as the remainder of her night continued without a hitch.
“I live close by, so some of my friends who live out of town came home with me and spent the night,” Rosso said. “We set up air mattresses in my room, and it was not too bad. The worst part was getting up early to come back to school the next day.”
