The Hofstra
HEMPSTEAD, NY Volume 83 Issue 5
Chronicle
Tuesday
october 10, 2017
Keeping the hofstra Community informed since 1935
Work order delays impede on student life
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
By Alixandra Wilens STA FF WRITER
Fall Fest 2017: The Recap A3 Photo courtesy of University Relations Lil Wayne headlined the 2017 Fall Festival on Oct. 7.
Unaddressed maintenance concerns are leaving students in the cold as responses to work orders are consistently delayed. Two residents of Constitution Hall, seniors Hope Lefko and Brianna O’Keefe, were taking chilled showers or traveling elsewhere to find warm water for over a week; the water in the 10th floor women’s restroom was ice cold with few deviating moments of scolding hot water. “[The water temperature] took almost two weeks to fix, which got really frustrating because I either had to brace the cold or travel downstairs to the women’s showers located on the
opposite side,” said Lefko, an accounting major. All facility-related work orders get funneled to the Physical Plant Department on the outer edge of South Campus. Paul Romano, the associate director of Physical Plant, explained how students’ reports make their way to the department. “Residential Life takes the calls during normal business hours, but we also have staff that’s here 24 hours a day,” Romano said. “So once the Office of Residential Life is closed, Public Safety takes Continued on A2
HofUSA evacuated after patrons afflicted by fumes By Jill Leavey
ASSISTA N T N E WS E D I TO R
“The three of us started violently coughing. It felt like something was in my lungs,” said Amanda Kruse, a sophomore public relations major. She was describing a health scare that occurred at Hofstra USA (HofUSA) on Tuesday, Sept. 3 around 11 p.m. Fire officials believe the incident was caused by paint fumes. Approximately 40 people were in Smashburger at the time, eating late night dinners and gathering for group study sessions when students and employees abruptly began to erupt in coughing fits. Within minutes, Hofstra’s Department of Public Safety, Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) and local fire departments responded to the chaotic scene after the first caller reported they thought people were ill from pepper spray. Two employees were treated at local hospitals. According to firsthand accounts, the coughing started in
the waiting area of Smashburger, located near the counter and window to the kitchen. It then proceeded to spread throughout the restaurant, and quickly to the dining area where most of the patrons were seated. “You really knew something was wrong when the employees at Smashburger started violently coughing then Public Safety came and told everyone to get out,” said Annalisa Piccolo, a junior community health major. “Public Safety came in a good like minute or two. They were pretty fast,” Kruse said. Those who were involved were not informed by officials what the source of their illnesses was. “Every time I asked they said they have to get a special unit in to see exactly what was released. We don’t really know,” said Victoria Eppstein, a sophomore marketing major. For individuals like Piccolo, Kruse and Eppstein who refused medical attention, they were directed by officials to complete forms stating that they opted to not be treated. All individuals
affected were asked to provide teacher supply store,” Schuld I got the email from P Safe I their contact information so said. felt lied to because I knew that Public Safety can follow up as “It was a burning sensation fumes from oil paint couldn’t more details emerge. that hit you once you took a have caused that evacuation,” Greek life and other student breath in and it made your eyes Schuld said. organizations were working water,” she said. The university released a both in and outside the HofUSA Hofstra officials sent a mass statement the following day conbuilding. They used art supplies email to students Tuesday night firming that the coughing was made with potentially hazardabout an hour after the fire delikely induced by paint fumes. ous materials to construct floats partment responded, saying that “Fire officials determined that for Fall Fest; students were the noxious odor was “the result the odors were paint fumes, instructed to use spray paint and of oil based paint being used Continued on A2 aerosols outdoors. during float building.” “When Sarah Schuld, a junior early childhood/childhood education major, was working on her exhibit for Delta Gamma at the time of the incident. “I personally think it was not the fault of oil based paint. When I left build there was no one using paint inside aside from our team Peter Soucy / Hofstra Chronicle and we use craft Authorities respond to reported toxic fumes emanating from HofUSA building. paint from a