Power outage: Update and extension of remote operations through 7/20

First, thank you for the extraordinary flexibility and resiliency you have shown this week. I am incredibly impressed by how our campus has pulled together to navigate the power outage following Saturday’s tragic car accident. As you know, the accident destroyed critical electrical infrastructure we need to power our campus.

Update on work to restore power

Teams including staff and leaders from UW Tacoma, along with representatives from UW’s central emergency management and IT, have been working tirelessly to identify a solution to the outage. The extent of the damage is significant. Here is what we know now, which is encouraging as we believe we have identified the components of a solution:

• The equipment needed to restore power is not readily available. A refurbished piece of equipment has been located. It needs to be evaluated for compatibility and tested to ensure it is working properly.
• Cable was damaged in the accident and needs to be replaced. The team is identifying sources for the replacement cable.
• Additionally, the overall rebuild of the infrastructure will require design, permitting, procurement and construction. Design work for the rebuild is beginning. 
• Tomorrow (7/11), a team of contractors, designers, and representatives from UWT and UW Facilities will convene on-site to plan out the next steps for completing the project as quickly as we can. 
• In parallel the team is exploring the possibility of sourcing generators to provide limited power for parts of campus and/or tenants.

Teams are working as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, it will not be an overnight fix. By Monday, we should have a better idea of the scope of work and hopefully a clearer timeline for a resolution that would allow a return to campus.

Campus status: Suspended in-person operations continue through Saturday 7/20 

Based on information we have now, it is clear that we will not be able to return to on-campus operations next week.

Suspended in-person operations will continue through Saturday 7/20. Note that it may be necessary to extend remote operations beyond 7/20, but at this stage we do not yet have a date for the restoration of power. Please make arrangements for continuing with remote work, teaching, learning and research through next week. Summer term A will continue to be taught remotely through the end of finals. For faculty teaching in Summer B term, please reach out to enrolled students to inform them that the term will be starting remotely on 7/18.

Next update 

Expect the next update on the status of the project and campus operations on Monday 7/15.

Accessing campus 

The finance and administration team will have dedicated staff available on site to permit building access for 15-minute intervals on Thursday, 7/11, and Friday, 7/12, between 7:30 - 11:30 a.m.

To request an access window, please select a time for your building by completing this form. When you arrive to your building, present your Husky Card or other photo ID to the staff member at the door. You will be escorted to your workspace as well as out of the building to ensure no employee remains inside, minimizing risk to health and safety. These requests are intended for brief trips only so faculty or staff may retrieve office items, such as laptops or physical files, that are necessary for remote work.

Employees with extenuating circumstances, such as separating from the University or maintaining research work, should work with their supervisor and/or department head to identify these needs and communicate with Campus Safety at uwtsafe@uw.edu.

Additional support 

Knowing that the accident and this continued disruption are difficult for all, I offer a reminder that the UW provides free and confidential support services, including counseling with licensed mental health professionals, via the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Gratitude 

It has been especially heartening to see many members of our community work so diligently and compassionately to support each other since Saturday morning. I am deeply grateful to all of you and want to especially acknowledge campus safety and security officers, IT, and facilities staff who have been working around the clock in hot conditions to help us through this disruption. I am optimistic that with so many dedicated people working on solving this problem, we will have the path forward defined soon.

Take care and stay cool. Let’s all do all we can to support each other at this extraordinary time!