On Tuesday Feb. 4, students at Oregon State University who are attending classes in Moreland Hall received an email detailing a potential obstruction in their flow. 

The email, sent by Molly McFerran, an Office Specialist for the School of Writing, Literature and Film, addresses an issue of having the water shut off throughout the building, saying:

“If you are attending a class in Moreland and need to use the restroom, please use facilities in nearby buildings or the porta-potties and hand washing station on the south side of the building.”

After an inquiry with McFerran about the timeline and current efforts towards water repairs, she said,

“(The building’s water is) out of commission until further notice…They’re replacing the piping from the top floor all the way down to the basement.”

Currently, academic staff in the building are unaware of the completion timeline for these repairs. The University Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations Department manages the repairs at OSU, and their completion relies on the department’s schedule. 

The faulty piping impacts student and staff amenities, as it prevents constant access to functional restrooms or sinks.

The building’s bathrooms are all marked with a sign describing the current situation, potentially alongside a board of wood blocking the bottom half of the door to prevent accidental use. 

Students noticed a pungent odor that can be smelt within the lobby of the main floor—the source of which is currently undetermined but students believe it could be a result of the current situation.

As more information regarding the repairs is released, the Barometer will update this story.