Plumbing issues block two important pathways on campus
Students find important pathways blocked as the third week of the semester start
February 11, 2023
As the semester starts to settle in, foot-trafficked paths connecting to public transportation and health services are blocked by construction.
A broken hot water line pipe led to construction on the right side of J. Paul Leonard Library. The repairs began on Wednesday, Feb. 1, according to Robert Andrews, Associate Vice President of Facilities Services.
A GGX reporter spotted the leakage on Tuesday, Jan. 24 for the first time. The original source of the leakage is unclear, but it started a week before students returned to classes for Spring 2023.
Students started to bypass the outpouring by walking on the grass area as construction site fences blocked the sidewalk.
The path towards the health center from the quad is also blocked off by construction.
“I think it is because of a water leakage and they are changing a few tubes,” said Oscar Portillo, an employee of the facility services for seven years. “They are repairing water pipes that I suppose will take two or three weeks more but I’m not sure.”
Now with the path blocked, students must take a detour to get to the health center.
“I just showed up and it was closed. They didn’t even put out a notice or anything which would have been nice,” said Alejandra Díaz, a fourth year student majoring in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism. “For new students, it’s kind of like an inconvenient thing. I don’t know why it didn’t get taken care of over break.”
New and returning students were never informed of the precaution for both the construction sites. The health center was contacted but didn’t comment on the blockage.
“It was surprising that it was there. Many students come and go and now they have to go all the way around.” said Yazmin Rodriguez, a second year student majoring in Child & Adolescent Development. “I have an appointment there and they didn’t say anything regarding anything going on there.”
[Additional reporting by Letícia Luna]