Students flee flooded Foundation
Contrary to popular belief, lightning can strike twice – just ask the current residents and housing staff of Foundation Hall. GCSU students who endured the Parkhurst Hall flood in 2004 can commiserate.
Resident Assistant staff, public safety, and University Housing all presume that on March 5, several students throwing a football on the 2nd floor set off Foundation Hall’s sprinkler system. The ball, hitting the sprinkler head, caused a rupture in the system. The ensuing deluge drenched not only the second floor, but the first as well. The building’s extensive damage totals nearly $100,000.
No suspect has been named, according to Resident Assistant Erik Chambers. Because 65 residents were relocated to Sanford Hall, Chambers now assists Foundation residents and Sanford’s new refugees.
Amanda Gunter, Resident Director of Foundation Hall, was impressed by how quickly the proper services responded to the accident. GCSU Public Safety and University Housing are currently handling the investigation.
“There are wild rumors going around about who may have done it, but there are no definite leads yet,” Gunter said. “ I encourage whoever is responsible to come forward. The plan would be to meet with the individual’s insurance company and there are no current plans to press criminal charges if the responsible person steps forward.”
Now GCSU students can see why footballs, flying discs, and other recreational objects are confiscated in the residence halls.
The Flood
Three Mondays ago at around 11 p.m., Foundation freshman Meredith White was getting ready to sleep after a long study session. That’s when the fire alarm went off. Peeking her head out of her second floor room, she couldn’t believe what she saw.
“Water was spewing everywhere,” White said. “Then I saw the busted sprinkler head.”
The water pressure punched a hole through a nearby wall and the floor was quickly becoming a small river. RA’s, thinking the alarm was related to a fire, scrambled getting their residents out of the building.
“I looked at it in disbelief,” White added. We didn’t realize the magnitude of what was going on, but the real shock would come the next day.”
A few residents lingered to stroll the flooded hallway. Some took pictures, while a handful enjoyed running amongst the confusion. When it was over, there was nearly four inches of standing water on the first floor and two inches on the second. Evacuated residents waited outside for roughly three hours. Unbeknownst to them, some would not be returning.
The Day After
Tuesday afternoon, White was headed back to Foundation Hall after class. White, with her friend and suitemate Janet Wallace, and was about to receive disheartening news. Every Foundation Hall resident whose room was near the flood site (rooms 201-205 and 101-113) must completely move his or her belongings into Sanford hall by 4 p.m. Wednesday.
According to White and Wallace, the move was a mass, chaotic exodus. Sixty-five students, with the help of their friends, carried all their belongings into Sanford that day.
“It’s been stressful, but, at the same time, it has been a good learning experience,” Wallace said. “In life, you have to adapt to difficult situations, so learn how to maintain a positive attitude despite the hardships.”
The biggest concern however, was not relocating in a short time; it was getting their schoolwork done for the next day.
Now established residents of Sanford Hall, White and Wallace have already become adjusted to the temporary location. They, and others like them, were thankful to have friends willing to help with the move.
Housing wanted to have all repair work completed before students returned from Spring break. “We are looking for any organizations who are willing to help students move back in, so please let us know,” said Gunter.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Apr 6 2007. Filed under News.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
