[Microplantpath_faculty] Continuing Power Outages in Boyce and Keen Hall-March 25, 2026

[Dominica Albitre]

Good evening,

Unfortunately full power is not restored in Boyce Hall. The electrical crew
is still on site. Due to guidance from facilities, staff will work remote
tomorrow.  Please inform your lab personnel no entry to building is advised
as there is no ventilation.

We will continue to keep everyone updated.

Dominica

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Sabrina Schuster <sabrina.schuster at ucr.edu>
Date: Wed, Mar 25, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Subject: Re: Continuing Power Outages in Boyce and Keen Hall-March 25, 2026
To: Xuan Liu <xuan at ucr.edu>, Katherine Borkovich <
katherine.borkovich at ucr.edu>, Katayoon Dehesh <katayoon.dehesh at ucr.edu>,
Thomas Eulgem <teulgem at ucr.edu>, April Meinzer <april.meinzer at ucr.edu>,
Dominica Albitre <dominica.albitre at ucr.edu>, Shane Kennedy <
shane.kennedy at ucr.edu>
CC: CNAS Dean <cnas_dean at ucr.edu>, Agdean <agdean at ucr.edu>, LifeSciDean <
lifescidean at ucr.edu>, PhySciDean <physcidean at ucr.edu>, Tamara Stewart <
tamara.stewart at ucr.edu>, Christopher Torres Martinez <ctorresm at ucr.edu>,
Sheila Hedayati <sheila.hedayati at ucr.edu>, Laurie Graham <
laurie.graham at ucr.edu>, Paige Mejia <paige.mejia at ucr.edu>, Joel Sachs <
joels at ucr.edu>, eeobchair <eeobchair at ucr.edu>, Dawn Nagel <dawnn at ucr.edu>,
David Nelson <davidn at ucr.edu>, Tiffany Kwok <tiffany.kwok at ucr.edu>


Hi Everyone,

I just received an update:  Some power to the building is back but they
can’t guarantee every outlet.  The full electrical crew is still on site
and are still advising no entry to building because there is no
ventilation.  A transformer is still wet from the flooding and full power
cannot yet be restored.  I will keep you all informed but just in case, you
may want to plan for remote work if possible tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Sabrina


*Sabrina A. Schuster, BS, MBA*

CNAS Dean’s Office Facilities Liaison/Physical Planning

951.827.5163 Voice | 951.543.5689 iPhone

CNAS Dean’s Office, Olmsted Hall 2303

900 University Avenue

Riverside, CA  92521

Zoom:  https://ucr.zoom.us/j/8303171506


On Wed, Mar 25, 2026 at 4:56 PM Sabrina Schuster <sabrina.schuster at ucr.edu>
wrote:

> Hi Everyone,
>
> *Current Update:*
> Backup power only was restored to Boyce Hall around 10:30-11:00 this
> morning.  After the initial burst pipe was fixed, another water pipe was
> found to be broken and fixed.  The water collected in the basement of Boyce
> Hall affecting high-voltage equipment and exercising caution, backup power
> restoration was initially halted until further inspection of high voltage
> and electrical equipment could take place.  Once this evaluation was
> complete, backup power was restored.  While flooding was mainly contained
> to the interstitial/core of the building, there was water observed on
> several floors in the restrooms and visible drywall damage.
>
> *People Temporarily in Building:*
> We advised that people could briefly enter the building with a buddy to
> attend to equipment, etc., and were instructed to leave as soon as their
> tasks were done.  We also recommend a checkin/checkout, make sure someone
> outside of the building is aware that you and your buddy are in the
> building so if you don't checkout, your outside individual can contact
> emergency services.  Please be advised that with only backup power, there
> is no ventilation, HVAC, emergency contact mechanisms (Wi-Fi/Zoom may be
> affected) and if fumes from the lab should build up, sensitive individuals
> could be overcome.  Also, the elevators are not working so the stairwells
> are dark with other very dark spaces throughout the hallways and rooms.
> There are all potential Fire-Life-Safety issues.
>
> *Full Power Restoration and All Clear:*
> As of 12:30 PM today, Facilities Services advised that full power
> restoration to the building will likely occur by 6:00 PM this evening.
> When I receive the "all clear" guidance from Facilities Services, I will be
> sure to share this information so you can resume work with your teams and
> administration.
>
> *Damage and/or Loss of Equipment/Research:*
> We will be working with Risk Management to coordinate an insurance claim
> related to today's incident.  BMP Administration will be providing a Google
> Document link to collect information regarding your damage and/or loss.
>
> Please kindly let us know if you have any questions and thank you for your
> patience as we work through this emergency situation.  I am happy to answer
> questions or be of assistance.  Thank you so much.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Sabrina
>
>
> *Sabrina A. Schuster, BS, MBA*
>
> CNAS Dean’s Office Facilities Liaison/Physical Planning
>
> 951.827.5163 Voice | 951.543.5689 iPhone
>
> CNAS Dean’s Office, Olmsted Hall 2303
>
> 900 University Avenue
>
> Riverside, CA  92521
>
> Zoom:  https://ucr.zoom.us/j/8303171506
>
>
> On Wed, Mar 25, 2026 at 10:23 AM Sabrina Schuster <
> sabrina.schuster at ucr.edu> wrote:
>
>> Hi Everyone,
>>
>> I know people are anxious to get into the buildings to unplug/secure
>> equipment to prevent power surge damage as the power comes back on.  Please
>> tell your teams to institute the buddy system so people are not unescorted
>> into the building, one holding a flashlight while the other carries out
>> necessary tasks.  There should be a "check-in/check-out" process so we can
>> track who goes in and who goes out to account for all entries to the
>> building.  Facilities/EH&S were going to tag Boyce Hall with caution tape
>> due to the power outage but we do understand there are necessary tasks that
>> research teams need to attend to.
>>
>> The latest on the power outages in Boyce and Keen Hall:
>>
>> 1. Boyce Hall-The pipe burst in the interstitial/core of Boyce that
>> caused the initial flooding which led to the power outage for Boyce,
>> Batchelor/Keen, and SOM was repaired.  A new leak was just reported and the
>> plumbing technicians are on site to troubleshoot and repair.  There is
>> still a transformer and fuses that need to be repaired but flooding in the
>> basement in high voltage areas is impacting the ability to bring the
>> building power back on.  I am still waiting to hear the status of using a
>> backup generator to Boyce, there will be generator provided today.
>> FYI-Vivarium on the 6th floor of Boyce has its own dedicated backup power
>> generator, they have power.
>>
>> 2. Keen Hall-My understanding is there are some fuses/electrical
>> equipment currently under repair to bring power back to this section of the
>> building.
>>
>> 3. Batchelor Hall-The building is currently operating on backup power.
>>
>> I will send more updates as I receive them but you are also welcome to
>> reach me via Zoom, telephone as needed.  Thank you all for your patience
>> and assistance during this difficult time.
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> Sabrina
>>
>>
>> *Sabrina A. Schuster, BS, MBA*
>>
>> CNAS Dean’s Office Facilities Liaison/Physical Planning
>>
>> 951.827.5163 Voice | 951.543.5689 iPhone
>>
>> CNAS Dean’s Office, Olmsted Hall 2303
>>
>> 900 University Avenue
>>
>> Riverside, CA  92521
>>
>> Zoom:  https://ucr.zoom.us/j/8303171506
>>
>
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