Kean closes buildings due to power outage

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By Joshua Rosario, Monica Sudfield and Cody Louie | Published Nov. 21, 2017

UPDATE: As of 2:27 p.m. all classes in the Union Campus are cancelled for the remainder of the day. Classes are expected to resume Wednesday morning. An update will be sent out by 6 a.m. on Wednesday.



Students and faculty were evacuated from buildings today on campus due to a power outage.

According to a Kean police officer addressing the crowd outside the Maxine and Jack Lane Center for Academic Success (CAS), the outage was caused by a blown transformer in the area.  

Director of Media Relations Margaret McCorry said, “about 15 people were safely rescued from elevators in three building by the Union Fire Department.”

The students were rescued in Hennings Hall, the Science Building and the Maxine and CAS.

Classes are suspended until 4 p.m. with exceptions to certain buildings. Students can expect an update from the university at 3 p.m. regarding the status of night classes.

Classes in the following buildings are being held because they do not have power issues.

  • East Campus
  • Green Lane Academic Building
  • STEM Building
  • North Avenue Academic Building
  • Kean Hall

According to University Relations, the residence halls are operating on generator power with an exception to Whiteman Hall which is being connected to generators. The residence dining hall is open.

“I was going to go to work today and as soon as I pulled in I saw no lights,” said Kevin Macalos, a general education mentor. “I have classes [today] but unfortunately they’re in Green lane so I have class.”

Students stood outside of buildings on campus awaiting any information on the status of classes.

“I’m cold,” said Senior English major Kristin Calderoni. “I have class at 12:30 at STEM, but every other class is cancelled!”

Janice O’Halloran and Alyssa Cuzzolina, the baristas at the Starbucks in CAS said, “it’s a great day to start the Thanksgiving weekend!”

But not all students felt the same about the building closures.

“I feel terrible, they kicked me out of the library,” Senior Psychology major Bhavika Patel said. “I have a paper due for senior sem.”


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