Seminole State College has suffered significant damage across its campus due to the recent winter storm. The college’s maintenance and supervisory staff have identified many problems and fixed a number of repairs over the past week. However, some cleanup and restoration work will stretch over the next few months.
Several class buildings were flooded by frozen and broken water pipes. A number of science labs and classrooms at the south end of Tanner Hall were flooded, causing roughly a third of the campus’ largest classroom building to shut down for repairs.
The Milt Phillips building near the campus center was badly damaged from classrooms and offices that flooded with water. Although it was originally thought to be one of the hardest hit areas, the building is slated to reopen next week.
Damage to two classrooms and offices in the David L. Boren library was also caused by flooding. These areas are dried and carpets are replaced.
The storm hit both of the college’s large dormitories. The Roesler Residential Learning Center was without heat and hot water for several days, but these issues have been resolved. During the extreme temperatures, sprinkler pipes broke in the Seminole Nation dormitory. The sprinkler system has been repaired, but flooring and other internal damage in isolated rooms is still being fixed.
The SSC Softball Sports Complex suffered from broken water pipes, drainage problems, and frozen valves. Repairs to the complex’s facilities are expected to be completed this week. A small leak was repaired at Raymond Harber Field House and frozen pipes in the ET Dunlap Student Union toilets were repaired. Several sprinkler lines were interrupted at the Enoch Kelly Haney Center. The pipes have been repaired, carpets dried and minor damage to the interior walls will be fixed shortly.
All areas of water damage have been treated to remove mold and mildew related issues.
SSC President Lana Reynolds said there were a number of students on campus during the storm. She said her efforts to respond to these incidents were extremely helpful in containing major damage to limited areas of the dormitory.
She also said that SSC Director of Physical Facility and Campus Security Ed Lemmings and SSC Police Chief Shane Marshall and their staff and officials worked diligently and tirelessly to keep the students and SSC facilities safe during the crisis .
“I can’t stress enough how lucky we were to have campus police and members of our maintenance and surveillance services on hand last week to find leaks, fix plumbing and gas problems, organize cleanups and help with repairs begin, “said Reynolds. “While a lot went wrong last week, I saw a lot that went right. We’d like to thank everyone for their help, patience, and positive comments and support. “
The college continues to evaluate and document all damage and repairs required in every building on campus. As repair and replacement costs rise, the college has contacted state risk management insurance and will have their assistance with the recovery effort, Reynolds said. In addition, financial relief from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is expected.
Offices reopened the Monday after the storm, but classes were held practically through Wednesday to allow for cleanups and repairs with limited traffic on campus. Personal lessons resumed Thursday.
