Purdue News

December 6, 1998 Storm damages University Hall; students to report to Armory WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The oldest building on Purdue's West Lafayette campus -- University Hall -- sustained major damage Sunday evening (12/6) from the severe thunderstorm that moved through the Greater Lafayette area shortly before 9 p.m. High winds stripped about one-quarter of the building's roof away. Falling debris broke an upper-level water-sprinkler pipe, which led to water damage throughout the building. A damage estimate was not immediately available. The building is closed until further notice, said Joseph L. Bennett, vice president for university relations. Bennett said students with classes that meet in University Hall should report to the Purdue Armory at their regular meeting times on Monday (12/7) and look for signage that indicates the room number in which the class normally meets. Space Management and Academic Scheduling will be working to find alternate meeting locations for classes. The building's 16 classrooms accommodate some 160 class meetings during Purdue's normal 10-period weekdays. No injuries were reported in the University Hall incident or other scattered reports of damage on the West Lafayette campus. Purdue police said the high winds also toppled a light pole onto a sidewalk on the south side of Stewart Center, knocked out the traffic light at State Street and Airport Road and briefly closed Allison Road west of the Purdue Airport due to a fallen tree. University Hall, completed in 1877, is the oldest surviving building on the West Lafayette campus. The spired building overlooks Memorial Mall and the gravesite of founding benefactor John Purdue. In addition to classrooms, University Hall houses the Department of History. Source: Joseph L. Bennett, (765) 494-2082; e-mail, joe_bennett@purdue.edu Writer: Greg Zawisza, (765) 494-2086; e-mail, greg_zawisza@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page