Power restored after Slippery Rock University students left scrambling due to no electricity or heat
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. (KDKA) -- Slippery Rock University students are speaking out about power outages on campus that mad it difficult for them to stay warm, find a comfortable place to sleep, and focus on school work.
KDKA-TV was flooded with messages from students who said they are relieved the lights and heat are back on.
They said they lights started flickering in several buildings on Wednesday as the area was being hit with subzero temps.
"We were having power issues all day and having little flickers some longer than others," said Owen Campbell, a freshman at Slippery Rock University.
Students who in the North Hall said they got a chaotic, confusing wakeup call in the middle of the bitter cold night.
"Last night the power started flickering, it was on and off. Then, for about like two hours it was off with no heat and everything and then we all went to bed like normal and then at like 2 a.m. we woke up to people pounding on our door telling us to evacuate," said freshman Nadiya Leslie.
The school put out an alert late Wednesday night saying North Hall and seven other upper campus buildings were experiencing a localized power outage.
An alert shared by the university at 1:44 a.m. on Thursday said, "Students in North Hall will relocate for the evening. Students are encouraged to make arrangements for accommodations with friends and family as much as possible and to follow the direction of all residence life staff. During daytime operating hours, students are encouraged to visit the library, campus success center, and smith student center for access to electricity and/or wi-fi for personal use or online instruction."
"We just grabbed a pillow and blanket and went downstairs. The CAs were trying to organize and figure out where we were going," said freshman Isabella Cornejo.
"We had about 15 minutes to gather essentials and get out of the building, they relocated us to Rhodes Hall where we were sleeping on floors, it was a warm place to sleep," Campbell said.
"They said try if you can go home or call your parents if you have friends on campus try to go with them at like 2 in the morning but for the people who couldn't find a place, they offered a place at the Rhodes Hall up there...we were all trapped in a little common room, so we slept in the lobby with a bunch of the beds and the chairs in the lobby, all squished together," Leslie said.
Classes in the buildings without power moved online for the day. On Thursday afternoon, the university told students in an alert that electricians had identified two failed underground connections near old main and miller auditorium.
"None of us got any sleep....There was no internet or wi-fi, couldn't do school work here had to go to library or other buildings. It was freezing cold in there so no one could stay here for long," Leslie said.
"I'm just hoping for the best, hoping to get in and do what I need to do and sleep soundly tonight," said Cornejo.
The lights were officially back on just before 5 p.m. Thursday. Students at North Hall were told around 6:30 p.m. they could head back to stay in their dorms.
An alert from Slippery Rock University on Thursday at 6:25 pm said, "Testing of all life services systems in North Hall, McKay Education Building, and Alumni House has been completed and are ready for occupancy. "
It also said the following buildings remain closed as testing and assessments are being completed.
- Art 1
- Carruth Rizza
- Childcare Center
- Maltby
- Miller Auditorium
- Old Main
The message also said they anticipate faculty, and staff will return to their offices in the closed buildings on Friday, and that all classes on Friday, January 24 will be held at their regular locations.
