Plans to operate under the constraints of the emergency generator power are scheduled to go through the weekend. With the collaborative response of the County Electrical Inspector, McMinnville Water and Light and Farnham Electric, Nicholson Library and Ford Hall remain powerless. Facilities Services is also without power.

A failure in the electrical bussing equipment shut the power off on Saturday, Feb. 20 The equipment was custom-built for Hewlett Packard, which previously occupied Nicholson Library. It was installed in 1974 and is now obsolete. The magnitude of this repair and service requires an Electrical Plan Review where all parties are working together to expedite the process.

“Replacement equipment of this size generally requires a 3-4 week lead time. We hope to receive it by Thursday afternoon (i.e. 3-4 days),” Allison Horn, Director of Facilities and Auxiliary Services said. Work is being done to prepare the exterior site for the new equipment as well as prep work inside the buildings at the panels.

“Once the new equipment arrives and is set in place, tie-in to the new equipment will take approximately 3-5 days,” Horn said.

The total expected cost of the equipment is unknown at this time, according to Chief Financial Officer Mary Ann Rodriguez.

While the back-up generators are in use, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Rebecca Wale will continue to monitor for carbon monoxide.

Spaces for students to study as an alternative to the Library are available. TJ Day Hall is locked at 6 p.m., but all students have after-hours swipe access. All classrooms available for use are unlocked. Renshaw Hall’s computer lab is available 24 hour a day when not reserved for a class. Riley Hall is open until midnight.