The wall across from the SXU Gallery in the Warde Academic Center has cracked, and the area is now blocked off.
The university’s current campus was opened in 1956, marking 66 years of use this past September. As is natural for older buildings as time passes, the Warde Academic Center is beginning to require some upkeep.
The Director of Facilities Services, Peter Skach, stated that, “The face brick on the wall cracked and released from the cinderblock wall behind it, causing a section of the face of the wall to bulge.”
The condition of the wall was “discovered on Sunday, October 23.” according to Skach.
Students have expressed concerns about the state of the wall, as it is located in a heavily populated section of the school.
Senior Jacklyn Alfred stated that, “The crack in the wall is somewhat concerning to me. Obviously, buildings can have structural problems and I don’t expect everything to always be perfect at SXU. However, I am slightly concerned by this as I am unsure what it really means, or how it could have occurred. If it is arising from a larger structural issue, that is definitely cause for greater concern.”
However, Skach stated that, “The area around the damaged wall is safely barricaded off so as to avoid any hazards.”
The school did not send out any information alerting students of the issue, nor was any information posted on the my.sxu student portal.
Alfred added, “I do not believe I received any information from the school. While I may have missed an email or announcement, I do not think I have been made aware of the crack in the wall and likely would still not know about it if I had not seen it in person.”
Sophomore Johnnetta Washington stated, “I haven’t received any information regarding the wall at all.”
The process to repair the wall began on Tuesday, October 25. However, it is unclear how long the repair process will take.
Skach added that, ‘The timing of the restoration will be scheduled once we further assess the conditions and review the necessary scope of work.”
As of Monday, October 24, Skach stated that, “It is unclear as to what caused the damage at this point and we will not know what the complexity of the repair will be until we see more after the damaged materials are removed and an assessment is made.”
However, as of Tuesday, October 25, it has been determined that “The face brick that cracked and bulged out was removed this morning by a masonry contractor”.
Facilities services said the school will schedule a restoration of the wall at a later date in an effort to cause as minimal disruption to the students’ school day as possible.