Most of Colorado State University is Open for Business and ‘operatingnormally’; Hotline Set Up

Most activities at Colorado State University have returned to normal as cleanup and determination of the extent of damage from flood water earlier this week continues.

Acting President Jud Harper Friday afternoon stressed that Colorado State will be ready for fall-semester classes, and that students shouldn’t experience any serious interruptions in services.

"We’ve had significant property damage and loss of research and academic materials by some faculty and staff members who have basement offices," Harper said. He reported that damage at Colorado State may exceed $50 million, and that a more precise estimate should be available next week.

"Fortunately, however, we’ve had relatively little structural damage to campus facilities. Most of the university is moving ahead with business and is operating normally. "

Two more buildings were opened Friday, reducing the number of closed buildings to 11. Up to three more buildings may open this weekend.

Harper said he is especially gratified by the efforts of faculty, staff and students who this week worked to help clean-up the university. "We’ve had some very dedicated employees and students who have made it possible for Colorado State University to continue to operate as normally as possible."

He also said Colorado State has set up a CSU Hotline number for the public to get up-to-date information about the university’s status. The number is 1-888-556-3475. Telephones will be answered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time Monday through Friday.

University officials on Friday said that such activities as conferences, workshops and sports’ camps being held on campus are proceeding as planned. All summer-semester classes will finish on schedule Aug. 8, and Preview CSU tours on campus sponsored by the Office of Admissions and Undergraduate Recruitment are operating. All streets on campus are open.

Harper added that orientation, advising and registration sessions for new students also will be held as originally scheduled throughout the week, prior to the beginning of classes on Aug. 25. He said the university’s book store also will be replenished and open for the start of classes.

Morgan Library is expected to reopen by the beginning of fall semester. Professional crews on Friday were working to remove an estimated 500,000 volumes that suffered water damage. Camilla Alire, dean of libraries at Colorado State, has estimated that as much as 50 percent of monographs and bound journals may be salvaged through a special process that restores water-damaged books.

Environmental health officials from the university also are continuing to make safety inspections in flood-damaged buildings to assure facilities are safe when they’re reoccupied.

Buildings that remain closed to the public are listed below. This list will be updated daily.

Harper said he is optimistic that most buildings can reopen by the end of next week.

CLOSED BUILDINGS AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY

  • South College Avenue Gym
  • Eddy Hall
  • Education Building
  • Engineering
  • Forestry
  • Gibbons Hall
  • Johnson Hall
  • Lory Student Center
  • Morgan Library
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Hartshorn Student Health Services