OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Oakland University canceled classes last week to repair a high-temperature hot water pipe system, but a new leak discovered during repairs has left 21 campus buildings without heat as students prepare for finals.
The university had initially canceled classes last week to repair a high-temperature hot water pipe system that serves several facilities.
The campus closure still ended on Dec. 1, but crews identified a new leak while making repairs, prompting modified campus operations for this week.
“Following precautionary pressurization of the university’s high-temperature hot water (HTHW) system over the holiday break, a new leak was identified due to temperature and pressure fluctuations,” according to the university’s website. “As a result, several buildings across campus are currently operating with limited heat. While the emergency campus closure will conclude as scheduled on Monday, December 1, the university will move forward with modified operations for the week as repairs continue.”
The university said repairs to the high-temperature hot water pipe system are now expected to continue through at least Dec. 11, which will impact the university’s final week of classes and students’ final exams.
The following buildings are currently without heat:
Biomedical Research Support Facility
Central Heating Plant
Dodge Hall
Elliott Hall
Engineering Center
Hamlin Hall
Hannah Hall
Hill House
Kresge Library
Math and Science Center
Meadow Brook Theatre
North Foundation Hall
Oakland Center
O’Dowd Hall
Pawley Hall
Recreation and Athletics Center
South Foundation Hall
Vandenberg Hall
Van Wagoner Hall
Varner Hall
Wilson Hall
Staff who teach in any of the buildings that don’t have heat have been instructed to move to remote learning for the rest of the semester.
However, there is a limited number of classrooms available that instructors can request access to if they need to continue face-to-face teaching or if they need to hold the final exam in person, according to the university.
If continuing to use face-to-face instruction, staff must have a hybrid option for students who were unable to return to residence halls due to the heating outage.
“Faculty should make every effort to accommodate students who may be unable to return to campus for finals,” university officials said on its website. “Many students will be unable to return to campus because they will not have heated residence halls.”
Students who may need assistance with getting transportation for off-campus classes or exams can contact the Dean of Students’ office at deanofstudents@oakland.edu.
University officials are working to reschedule performances that were supposed to happen at buildings that currently don’t have heat, and said commencements are scheduled to happen as planned.
They have also created a webpage for students and staff to answer frequently asked questions amid the heating outage.
Copyright 2025 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.