On Monday, Feb. 2, the Heller School for Social Policy and Management closed for repairs. Professors were sent an email on Friday, Jan. 30 by the University Associate Registrar, Kristina Law, citing a leak in the Alumni Lounge. The Justice reached out to Kristina Law for a comment, but she did not respond for press time. The leak included “both water and propylene glycol, which may cause respiratory irritation as well as eye irritation/tearing and nausea,” according to the email. Professors were encouraged to move their classes online on Monday or email the Registrar to find another meeting place. 

On Friday, Jan. 30, facilities investigated the leak and odor coming from the lounge. Work to mitigate the leak and odor was prolonged until Monday due to the inability to open windows and the absorption of odor from the concrete in the building. Facilities cited that the odor was “most likely related to stagnant water within a closed loop system and not exposure to any hazardous material.” There was no presence of propylene glycol found in the leak. By Monday, facilities staff completed the repair work and “standard mitigation measures were implemented, including water extraction, filtration, ventilation, and carpet replacement.” Facilities staff determined that the building had not been unsafe, and faculty and students had not been exposed to toxic substances during the leak. Facilities were asked to comment, but did not respond for press time. 

Brandeis students did not receive direct communication from facilities or the University, and were conveyed information about the repair work at Heller through their respective professors. Some professors also felt that they had not received much information from the University regarding the incident. “I don’t think they ever specified what exactly leaked,” said Professor Michael Strand (SOC), who teaches SOC 10b: Sociological Theory in Schneider Heller G004. “I will say, we didn’t get a lot of information about what exactly happen[ed],” he continued. The overall lack of communication from the university to students resulted in some confusion about the source of the issue and repair in Heller, and left students with rumours ranging from general maintenance to a gas leak. However, the repair work and school closure had little impact on coursework and class time. Professor Fangchao Ji (HIST), who teaches HIST 80B: East Asia in the Modern World in Schneider Heller G004, stated that “aside from the single remote session on Monday, the incident had a very limited impact on my course.” 

Classes resumed in their normal locations by Tuesday, Feb. 3.