Csu Damage Estimates Climb to More Than $100 Million, Yates Says

Damage estimates from the recent flood at Colorado State University are now at more than $100 million, as university crews work to ensure campus is fully functional in time for the fall semester.

Colorado State President Albert C. Yates, who had been mid- way through a planned three-month leave until the flood hit campus, will resume his duties as president beginning today. Yates, who has been on campus and actively involved in flood- recovery efforts all week, has assessed damages and worked to ensure the university’s response to the damages has been appropriate and timely.

"Crisis situations are said to bring out the best in people, and that certainly has been true in this circumstance. There has been a sense of selflessness and cooperation throughout our university community as we’ve dealt with this natural disaster," Yates said. "We have learned the effects of the flooding on campus are greater than originally believed. Consequently, the magnitude of damages and the complexity of institutional recovery have persuaded me that I must cut short my planned vacation time and resume my duties as president of the university."

Although damage estimates are still being compiled, Yates said today the cost to repair and clean up campus from the flood and replace necessary equipment will run more than $100 million and perhaps as high as $135 million. This estimate does not include the loss of personal and professional property associated with teaching and research belonging to students, faculty and staff. University officials should have some sense of those additional losses later in the week, Yates said.

The single largest expense will be repair and replacement costs in buildings on campus. The cost for this is estimated at more than $80 million and includes repair and restoration of the Morgan Library and its materials. University officials also estimate the cost of replacing equipment and furniture at more than $10 million. The cost of replacing the University bookstore inventory and establishing a space to sell these materials to students in time for the fall semester is expected to be more than $5 million. Housing and Food Services buildings sustained an estimated $1.8 million in damages. The estimated cost of providing academic materials and journals through alternative sources such as interlibrary loan programs and expanded electronic resources is estimated at more than $4.8 million. In addition, the university estimates it will lose more than $8.4 million in business revenues from the Lory Student Center and other campus sites used for conferences and other activities. Other costs included an estimated $1.9 million for clean-up efforts and other records, supplies, consumable inventory and equipment losses.

"In the days ahead, our highest priority will be given to accommodating and restoring the losses of faculty, students and staff, cleaning up the campus, making the necessary repairs and restoring current operations and, ultimately, working to minimize any inconvenience and disruption as we begin the fall term," Yates said.

Yates also praised the efforts of Vice President for Research and Information Technology Jud Harper, who had been serving as acting president this summer, and Vice President for Administrative Services Gerry Bomotti, who is leading the recovery efforts.

Yates scheduled the three-month leave this summer to use up his accrued vacation time. This had been Yates’ first extended time away from campus since he began his tenure in 1990.