Dear students, faculty & staff:

On Monday evening at approximately 7 p.m., a fire occurred in one room within our Tower A residence hall. The building’s sprinkler system quickly contained the fire while the building was evacuated. First responders arrived promptly to the scene. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported and damage to the building was minimal.

Several other rooms in Tower A experienced water damage, resulting in the initial displacement of approximately 30 students. Clean up and mitigation efforts immediately were enacted and remain underway. As of Tuesday morning, 18 rooms have been cleared for students to return, and fire alarm and smoke detector systems have been reactivated in the building. There are approximately 15 rooms that will require some additional time for full restoration. We anticipate that virtually all of the building’s residents will be allowed to return to their rooms over the next few days or later this week.

Our Housing & Residence Life team has been working diligently to support those affected and provide relocation for any students whose rooms will require additional remediative work.

Impacted students are being provided with housing and dining support and may be eligible to receive additional financial assistance through TU’s emergency fund. We are also committed to providing academic support to ensure student success. I ask that our faculty and staff continue to provide the necessary flexibility and support for students who were affected.

Our community always comes together in times of need, and this situation has been no different. I especially would like to thank our dedicated staff in Housing & Residence Life and Student Affairs, under the leadership of AVP Kelly Hoover and Sr. VP Vernon Hurte, and our Facilities Maintenance and Public Safety teams, led by AVP Joe Herring and Sr. VP Steve Jones. I also express my gratitude to many other members of the TU community for their support of our students, as well as the Baltimore County Fire Department for their swift response and tireless efforts.

For those who wish to provide additional support, you can donate to the Student Emergency & Food Security Fund during tomorrow’s TU Big Give.

As a reminder to all residential students, the use of candles and any open or enclosed flame devices is strictly prohibited in all university buildings. Please be sure to adhere to TU’s Open Flame and Candle Policy that will help to prevent future safety risks.

Thank you for your continued care of one another and all you do in support of our TU community.

Sincerely,

Mark R. Ginsberg, Ph.D.
President