Regional Journalism Project -- Contributors
Journalism Project | Stories | Contributors | Journalism Links

Classes slated to resume Jan. 28, but construction and repairs could stretch out more than two years

By Rae Kruger
Independent Staff Writer

MARSHALL -- The earliest classes classes can resume at Southwest State University is Jan. 28, president David Danahar said in a meeting for university staff on Monday.

"We want to be up and running this semester as soon as possible," Danahar said.

The start of the school's second semester depends on the clean-up and extent of damage to campus buildings from the fire which destroyed the main food service building on Jan. 2.

Danahar said the Jan. 28 date would remain unless damage discovered today or Wednesday changes that date. Danahar said SSU planned to allow students to return to campus dormitories Monday.

Students will be sent letters on the semester start date today or Wednesday, Danahar said.

"We do have some concerns about the residence halls having some smoke damage," Danahar said.

Reports of more smoke and soot damage could change the two dates, Danahar said.

SSU hopes to resume classes at the end of the month, but rebuilding the food service building and repairing other damage will take many months longer.

Construction and repairs will take 18 to 24 months, Danahar said. Resuming classes on Jan. 28 would allow SSU to have commencement on the planned date of May 11.

If classes begin later than Jan. 28, classes could be held as late as Memorial Day with graduation later, Danahar said.

"This is a slow and tedious process," Danahar said of the clean-up and damage check. "That's why I can't give a clear- cut answer on when the semester will start.

The Food Service East building was destroyed, and several other buildings received the brunt of the damage from fire and smoke.

Buildings must be checked for smoke and soot damage and air quality. Smoke and soot spread from the Food Service East building through a common ventilation system and tunnels to other buildings.

The Fine Arts building, Founders Hall, which houses the registrar's office, admissions, financial aid offices, the SSU Foundation and athletic offices, the student center and Student Center West were three of the hardest hit, and it's unlikely those will be open Jan. 28, campus officials said Monday.

SSU Director of Communications Tim Alcorn said those offices, excluding the athletic offices, business services and university relations, would be moved into the Individual Learning Center.

The ILC was damaged in a suspected arson fire in October, and renovations were recently completed.

Several campus offices including the president's office have been relocated to the Bremer Bank building on College Drive. Alcorn said the campus switchboard will likely move to the bank building soon.

Although the campus has been closed to staff and faculty since Jan. 2, necessary work continues from the physical plant on campus. The physical plant is the only building open on campus. Business personnel have continued to work from the physical plant, Alcorn said.

Payroll checks to SSU student employees were mailed this week, Danahar said.

Staff and faculty will receive their checks on the regular schedule next week.

While the university continues to receive progress reports on the damage and clean-up, it has been able to make some contingency plans for the second semester.

Danahar said mobile classrooms will be used. SSU also plans to install an access system on campus for disabled students who use the tunnels, Danahar said.

Mail service is being conducted for one hour each day at the physical plant. Danahar said the hour should be increased soon.

SSU's food contractor ARAMARK will use two mobile kitchens to feed students and staff. ARAMARK said food could be served in the multipurpose room. Also, the Hotel and Restaurant kitchens could be used, Danahar said.

"We're looking at disrupted food service for at least 18 months," Danahar said.

Danahar met with insurance representatives Monday, but said no damage estimates were available.

"We just don't know," Danahar said.

Danahar urged patience from faculty and staff who continued to remain cut off from offices.

Allowing faculty and staff to go in and out of buildings would compromise the clean-up and damage investigation, Danahar said.

Journalism Project | Stories | Contributors | Journalism Links
Science and Technology 203
Southwest Minnesota State University
1501 State Street · Marshall, MN 56258
Phone: (507) 537-6226
Fax: (507) 537-6147

Last updated: February 1, 2006