Campus power plant restoration and recovery

Campus Update for Friday, Sept. 25

• Buildings restored to date: 67%
• Square footage restored to date: 80%
• Residents restored to date: 83%

As we move into the weekend, you may see increased weekend facilities crews working throughout campus. For your safety and that of our crews, please maintain a safe distance from any barricades or walkway closures. As always, please be mindful of your surroundings and report any facility issues or concerns to Contact IPF at 517-353-1760. For emergencies, please call 911.

Residence hall update

The mobile shower units that were previously stationed outside Brody Hall were moved today to the courtyard between the Mason, Abbot, Snyder and Phillips residence halls. Shower times for Saturday will be 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m., returning to the normal schedule of 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. An Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA accessible shower option is also available at West Circle. The Student Recreation and Wellness Center has 32 showers, 10 of which are all-gender. Residential and Hospitality Services, or RHS, has discontinued transportation to the University Club and the Hannah Community Center for showers due to lack of use.

Dining halls continue to provide hot meal options, and there has been no interruption in dining services since Saturday. Residents continue to use dining services at typical rates.

Class instruction update

Nearly all colleges have resumed in-person classes as of today (9/25). Normal course modality for all will resume on Monday. Students should reach out to their instructors with questions.

Restoration update

The following campus buildings had steam and/or hot water restored as of 4 p.m. Sept. 25:

• Computer Center
• Hannah Administration
• Natural Sciences  
• Restoration in progress
• Giltner
• Psychology

Next steps (starting Sunday)

• Mason-Abbot
• Snyder-Phillips
• Baker Hall
• Geography
• Alumni Memorial Chapel
• Kresge Art Center
• MSU Auditorium
• Bessey Hall  
• Kedzie Hall
• Morrill Hall of Agriculture
• Cook-Severs
• Marshall-Adams
• Chittenden
• Old Horticulture
• Old Botany
• Linton Hall
• Eustace Cole
• Olin Health Center
• Berkey Hall
• Broad Art Museum
• Student Services

Campus Update for Thursday, Sept. 24

• Buildings restored to date: 57%
• Square footage restored to date: 72%
• Residents restored to date: 68%

As staff from Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF) continue to make progress, adjustments have been made to the restoration plan to maximize efficiency of the process.  

Campus includes over 19 million gross square feet of building space and 16 miles of steam tunnels, and IPF staff are working to safely and efficiently restore services. A map on this website shows zones of campus and provides a list of buildings contained within each zone.  

A power plant link is also an option through the Safe MSU app that takes users to this website.

IPF teams at the front of the repair effort are getting a lot of calls from campus partners. In this situation, please direct questions to Contact IPF at 517-353-1760. Additional information is available at: Power Outage - East Lansing Campus | Infrastructure Planning and Facilities.

Residence hall update

Mobile shower units are available at Brody Neighborhood and West Circle. An Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible shower option is also available at West Circle. The Student Recreation and Wellness Center has 32 showers, 10 of which are all-gender. Residential and Hospitality Services (RHS) will continue to offer transportation to and from the Hannah Community Center for showers. The University Club, Holmes Hall and McDonel Hall will no longer be available as a shower option for students after tonight.  

Dining halls continue to provide hot meal options, and there has been no interruption in dining services since Saturday. Residents continue to use dining services at typical rates.

Class instruction update

Nearly all colleges have resumed in-person classes today (9/24). The College of Education will continue a hybrid of in-person and virtual learning through tomorrow (9/25). Academic units will continue to communicate directly with students and employees regarding any changes affecting specific courses, facilities or operations. Students should reach out to their instructors with questions.

Restoration update

The following campus buildings had steam and/or hot water restored as of 4 p.m. Sept. 24:

• Holden Hall
• Wilson Hall
• Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF)
• Landscape Services
• Oyer Hearing and Speech
• MSU Department of Police and Public Safety
• Jenison Field House
• Demonstration Hall
• IM Sports West
• Munn Ice Arena
• Breslin Center  

Restoration in progress

• Kellogg Center
• Brody main building and residence halls

Next steps

• Mason-Abbot
• Snyder-Phillips
• Baker Hall
• Geography
• Alumni Memorial Chapel
• Kresge Art Center
• Auditorium
• Bessey Hall  
• Computer Center
• Hannah Administration
• Kedzie Hall
• Giltner Hall
• Psychology
• Natural Sciences
• Morrill Hall of Agriculture
• Cook-Severs
• Marshall-Adams
• Chittenden
• Old Horticulture
• Old Botany
• Linton Hall
• Eustace Cole
• Olin Health Center
• Berkey Hall
• Broad Art Museum
• Student Services

Campus Update for Wednesday, Sept. 23

• Buildings restored to date: 45%
• Square footage restored to date: 59%
• Residents restored to date: 46%

Campus includes over 19 million gross square feet of building space and 16 miles of steam tunnels, and Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF) staff are working to safely and efficiently restore services.  

This website now includes a map of zones that represent planned phases of steam and hot water restoration. The restoration plan may be subject to adjustments as work continues across campus.    

A Power Plant link is also an option through the Safe MSU app that takes users to this website.

IPF teams at the front of the repair effort are getting a lot of calls from campus partners. In this situation, please direct questions to Contact IPF at 517-353-1760. Additional information is available at: Power Outage - East Lansing Campus | Infrastructure Planning and Facilities.

Residence hall update

Residential and Hospitality Services (RHS) has made transportation available to shuttle students to and from the Hannah Community Center and the University Club for hot showers. Additionally, RHS has made mobile shower units available at West Circle, including an all-gender ADA accessible option, and is working on mobile shower units for the Brody Neighborhood. Residence Hall staff is communicating directly to residents in impacted buildings with instructions for how to reserve a time and access alternative shower options. Steam and hot water have also been restored to the Student Recreation and Wellness Center.

Dining halls continue to provide hot meal options, and there has been no interruption in dining services since Saturday. Residents continue to use dining services at typical rates.

Class instruction update

Nearly all colleges resumed in-person classes Wednesday, Sept. 23. The College of Arts and Letters will return to in-person instruction Thursday, Sept. 24, and the College of Education will maintain a hybrid of in-person and virtual learning through Friday, Sept. 25. Academic units will continue to communicate directly with students and employees regarding any changes affecting specific courses, facilities or operations. Students should reach out to their instructors with questions.

Restoration update

The following campus buildings had steam and/or hot water restored as of 4 p.m. Sept. 23:

• STEM  
• Wells Hall  
• International Center  
• Erickson Hall  
• Engineering
• Communication Arts & Sciences  
• Spartan Stadium
• Case Hall
• Duffy Daugherty Hall
• Student Recreation and Wellness  
• Wonders Hall  
• Fire Station

Next steps

• Holden Hall  
• Wilson Hall  
• Infrastructure Planning and Facilities  
• Landscape Services  
• Oyer Hearing and Speech  
• MSU Department of Police and Public Safety  

Campus Update for Sept. 22

The MSU Campus Power Plant Disruption website now includes a map of zones that represent planned phases of steam and hot water restoration. Campus includes over 19 million gross square feet of building space and 16 miles of steam tunnels, and Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF) staff are working to safely and efficiently restore services. The restoration plan may be subject to adjustments as work continues across campus.

IPF teams at the front of the repair effort are getting a lot of calls from campus partners. In this situation, please direct questions to Contact IPF at 517-353-1760. Additional information is available at Power Outage - East Lansing Campus | Infrastructure Planning and Facilities.

Residential and Hospitality Services (RHS) continues to provide support to students in residence halls and is working on additional shower options for those in campus residence halls where steam and hot water have yet to be restored.

In-person instruction has resumed for some classes. Academic units will continue to communicate directly with students and employees regarding any changes affecting specific courses, facilities or operations.

University administrative work functions resumed today, Tuesday, Sept. 22. Unit supervisors may still exercise discretion if there are unique aspects of this work that would prevent in-person operations and will provide that information to impacted teams. Employees should direct questions to supervisors.

Restoration Update

The following campus buildings had steam and/or hot water restored as of 4:30 p.m. Sept. 22:

• Owen Hall
• Business College
• MSU College of Law
• Shaw Hall
• Planetarium
• Chemistry
• Farrall Agriculture Engineering
• Biomedical and Physical Sciences
• Biochemistry
• Plant Science Greenhouses
• Integrative Plant Sciences
• Food Safety Toxicology
• Natural Resources
• Trout Food Science
• Dairy Store
• Anthony Hall
• Packaging
• Engineering (southeast portion)

Next Steps

• STEM
• Wells Hall
• International Center
• Erickson Hall
• Engineering (remaining)
• Communication Arts & Sciences

Campus Update for Sept. 21

MSU Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF) continues to make progress on restoring steam, temperature regulations and hot water to campus buildings. Online instruction and remote work, where possible, remain in effect through 11 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21.

Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 22, some classes will return to in-person instruction. Academic units will communicate directly with students and employees regarding any changes affecting specific courses, facilities or operations.

University administrative work functions on campus can fully resume on Tuesday, Sept. 22. Unit supervisors may still exercise discretion if there are unique aspects of this work that would prevent in-person operations and will provide that information to impacted teams. Employees should direct questions to supervisors.

Restoration update

The following campus buildings had steam and/or hot water restored as of Sept. 21 at 4:30 p.m.:

• Radiology
• Clinical Center
• Life Sciences
• Bott
• Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building (ISTB)
• IQ/Biomedical Engineering
• Engineering Research (steam only)
• Linen Services
• Regional Chilled Water Plant
• Plant and Soil Sciences
• Molecular Plant Sciences
• FRIB
• Veterinary Medical Center
• Wharton Center for Performing Arts
• Conrad Hall
• Fee Hall
• Akers Hall
• Hubbard Hall
• Holmes Hall
• IM East
• McDonel

Next steps

• Owen Hall
• Business College
• MSU College of Law

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4:30 p.m. Sept. 21: MSU leaders provide power plant update, answer questions

Michigan State University President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D., was joined by campus leaders today at a news conference to provide an update on progress and share the status of campus operations following a widespread power outage over the weekend.

“Our facilities and utility teams have made significant progress over the past 48 hours,” said Guskiewicz. “Restoring systems across a campus of Michigan State University’s size and complexity requires a phased approach to ensure that buildings can safely and reliably return to normal operations. We know the inconvenience and disruption caused by the outage and the resulting conditions on campus, and I want to assure the campus community that we are working as quickly and as diligently as possible to fully restore normal operations.”

The ongoing phases of restoration to steam, hot water and temperature systems are driven by the underlying infrastructure. Reintroduction of these systems, which could take up to a week, requires work to be completed first from east to west across campus, then focusing from south of the Red Cedar River as it travels through north campus. As systems are restored, some buildings may need additional cleanup and maintenance, which will require more time to ensure consistent service and appropriate building conditions. Read the full news release here.

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3:45 p.m. Sept. 21: President Guskiewicz provides campus restoration update

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12:45 p.m. Sept. 21: MSU to hold news conference regarding power plant, campus operations

MSU will hold a news conference regarding Saturday’s widespread power outage on campus and how the university is working to address some of the cascading impacts to the campus community. University leadership will be available to address questions from the media.

Speakers:

• Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D., MSU president
• Kenneth McFarlane, associate vice president of Strategic Infrastructure Planning and Facilities
• Patricia Martinez, associate vice president, Residential and Hospitality Services

Date/time: 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21.

Location: The news conference will be held in the atrium of the Henry Center for Executive Development at 3535 Forest Road, Lansing, Michigan, 48910.

MSU encourages remote classes, work amid campus hot water disruption

Due to a recent power outage, Michigan State University is without hot water across the majority of campus, and the university is encouraging remote classes for students and remote work for most employees on its East Lansing campus beginning today at 9 a.m. and continuing through Monday, Sept. 21, at 11 p.m.

On Sept. 19, a problem was identified with a power bus, which is a central connection point at the T. B. Simon Power Plant on campus. This resulted in a loss of connection to necessary power supplied to the power plant, halting the ability of the plant to generate electricity and steam to campus buildings. MSU experienced a campuswide power outage that lasted several hours. During the outage, MSU deployed generators across campus to support safety, security and emergency response operations. Read more.

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Read the full community message from President Kevin M. Guskiewicz

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Update: MSU working to restore power 

Michigan State University has experienced a failure at the T.B. Simon Power Plant that supplies power to campus. The source of the failure has been identified, and crews are diligently working to repair the issue.

The T.B. Simon Power Plant produces electricity and steam power for campus. Once the power plant comes back online, power is methodically restored to all buildings and campus facilities over a period of time. The university is optimistic that power will be restored by the morning. Read more.
 

MSU provides update on power outage

Michigan State University has identified the cause of the power outage affecting campus and is actively working to restore power.

The university does not yet have an estimated time for power to be restored and anticipates it may still be hours until campus is fully restored. As a result of the power outage, those on campus may be experiencing an impact to cellular service across all carriers. The university is actively communicating with cellular providers to alleviate the issue, including Verizon Wireless that is working to bring mobile units to campus to improve service. Read more.

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MSU issues statement on widespread power outage

Michigan State University is currently experiencing a widespread power outage. MSU Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF) is working to quickly identify and diagnose the issue. Aside from the power outage, there is no threat to campus. Read more.
 

A problem was identified with a power bus, which is a central connection point at the T. B. Simon Power Plant on campus. This resulted in a loss of connection to necessary power supplied to the power plant, halting the ability of the plant to generate electricity and steam to campus buildings. 

MSU Infrastructure Planning and Facilities immediately began working to identity the cause while assessing the impact of the outage. As a result of the outage, MSU began deploying light towers at various intersections across campus. Generators were also used to support safety, security, and emergency response operations. Patrol officers with the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety were available throughout campus and connected with campus neighborhood staff for support. 

We recognize the disruption this incident has caused for members of our campus community.

Throughout this incident the university remained open, and we will not be providing refunds for this period. The university continued to deliver educational instruction, conduct research and provide support services for students. Residence halls remained operational along with campus dining. Although a few services required some adjustments, alternative options have been and continue to be offered.

The outage resulted in multiple cellular carriers being impacted. The university was in communication with providers to help alleviate the issue. Verizon Wireless brought in mobile units to help improve service. Community members were encouraged to move toward or outside campus boundaries where there was better reception. 

Building heat is operating in all residence halls.

Please submit a maintenance request or visit your Primary Service Center as soon as possible to report an issue or request assistance. 

The power bus failure also damaged equipment that connects campus to the external electrical grid. As a result, power could not simply be transferred from an external utility until system assessments and repairs were completed.

Most of campus receives electricity and steam from the T.B. Simon Power Plant, which serves as the primary utility source for campus.

Supplemental electricity is provided by on-campus solar generation and a backup connection to the external electrical grid.

Steam produced at the T.B. Simon Power Plant is distributed across campus and supports heating, cooling, domestic hot water, research and sterilization operations.

Some facilities located south of Mt. Hope Road and along the campus perimeter receive utility service from local utility providers rather than the campus utility system. 

Yes, but only a limited number of campus facilities have emergency generators. These generators are designed to support critical life-safety and essential building functions, including:  

• Emergency lighting
• Fire alarm and fire suppression systems
• Smoke control systems
• Designated elevators
• Building communications and controls

Emergency generators are not intended to power entire buildings or maintain normal operations. 

No. The equipment currently under construction is not yet operational and is not connected to the campus electrical distribution system. The outage was unrelated to that project.

Following restoration of services, the university will conduct a comprehensive after-action review to evaluate the incident, identify lessons learned and assess opportunities to strengthen system reliability resilience, and emergency response procedures. 

The T.B. Simon Power Plant is operated and maintained by a team of professionals, including operators, engineers, mechanics and technicians who work around the clock to support campus utility services. 

From time to time, steam is released from the T.B. Simon Power Plant. These releases are a normal part of plant operations and may occur during equipment startup, shutdown, testing, maintenance or routine adjustments needed to meet campus energy demands.

Steam releases may be accompanied by a temporary increase in noise. While the visible plume and sound can be noticeable, they are expected operating conditions and are not typically a sign of an emergency.

The visible plume consists primarily of water vapor, and the plant continues to operate safely and reliably while providing essential heating and power services to campus.

MSU has established a Temperature Set Point policy to provide comfort conditions in support of the university’s educational mission while advancing MSU’s energy conservation goals. Spaces on campus vary greatly in age, construction and function, so exceptions will occur.  

Space heaters are regulated because they can create system imbalances, overload building electrical circuits, and can use a significant amount of energy. If used improperly, space heaters can also become a fire hazard.

Where space temperatures fall within university guidelines, several low wattage personal heaters have been approved that meet safety and efficiency guidelines. Approved heaters are available through Spartan Marketplace. 

Tuesday, Sept. 22: 

• Shaw Hall
• Planetarium
• Chemistry*
• Farrall Agriculture Engineering
• Biomedical and Physical Sciences*
• Plant Science Greenhouses
• Integrative Plant Sciences
• Food Safety Toxicology 

*Will require additional hot water restoration 

Wednesday, Sept. 23:

• STEM
• Wells Hall
• International Center
• Erickson Hall  
• Engineering*
• Anthony Hall
• Dairy Store
• Trout Food Science*
• Communication Arts & Sciences
• Packaging
• Natural Resources

*Will require additional hot water restoration 

Thursday, Sept. 24:

• Student Recreation and Wellness
• Wonders Hall
• Case Hall
• Holden Hall
• Wilson Hall
• IPF
• Landscape Services
• Oyer Hearing and Speech
• MSU Police
• Fire Station  

Thursday, Sept. 24:

• Jenison Field House*
• Demonstration Hall
• IM Sports West
• Spartan Stadium
• Daugherty Football Stadium
• Munn Ice Arena
• Breslin Center (Berkowitz will need additional hot water restoration) 

*Will require additional hot water restoration 

Friday, Sept. 25:

• Mason-Abbot
• Snyder-Phillips
• Baker Hall
• Geography
• Alumni Memorial Chapel
• Kresge Art Center
• Auditorium
• Bessey Hall  
• Computer Center
• Hannah Administration
• Kedzie Hall
• Giltner Hall
• Psychology
• Natural Sciences
• Morrill Hall of Agriculture
• Cook-Severs
• Marshall-Adams
• Chittenden
• Old Horticulture
• Old Botany
• Linton Hall
• Eustace Cole
• Olin Health Center
• Berkey Hall
• Broad Art Museum
• Student Services

Sunday, Sept. 27:

• Olds Hall  
• Main Library
• Beaumont Tower
• MSU Museum
• IM Sports Circle
• Human Ecology
• MSU Union
• Campbell Hall
• Landon Hall
• Mayo Hall
• Williams Hall
• Yakeley-Gilchrist Hall
• Wills House  
• Music  
• Music Practice 

Friday, Sept. 25:

• Brody Hall
• Bailey Hall
• Bryan Hall
• Butterfield Hall
• Emmons Hall
• Rather Hall
• Armstrong Hall
• Kellogg Center

Multicultural Center: The building currently maintains hot water service via electric water heaters. It is served by a new steam feed installed this summer and may require additional support during restoration, as steam is used for the building's heating and temperature control systems.