Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster has canceled all Monday classes following a significant power outage that began over the weekend. The disruption, caused by a malfunctioning transformer on Saturday morning, has led to widespread closures and operational changes across the campus as repair crews work to restore electricity.
In an announcement on Sunday evening, the college administration confirmed the cancellation of classes and asked faculty to be flexible with students. The outage has also forced the closure of one residence hall and most academic and recreational facilities, affecting students, faculty, and staff.
Key Takeaways
- All Monday classes at Franklin & Marshall College are canceled due to a power outage.
- A transformer malfunction on Saturday is the cause of the disruption.
- Roschel College House has been closed, and its residents have been relocated.
- Repair efforts by college teams and PPL Electric are ongoing around the clock.
Campus Operations Halted
The effects of the power failure extend beyond academics. All on-campus events scheduled for Sunday and Monday have been canceled, with the possibility of rescheduling at a later date. The college has instructed most faculty and professional staff not to come to campus on Monday and to coordinate remote work plans with their supervisors.
However, essential personnel are required to report to their posts as directed. This measure ensures that critical campus functions can continue while the broader community remains off-site.
Facility Closures
Key facilities remaining closed until further notice include the Shadek-Fackenthal Library, Martin Library, and the Armstrong Student & Fitness Center (ASFC). All academic buildings that were closed over the weekend will not reopen until power is fully restored. The administration has asked everyone to stay out of these closed buildings for safety reasons.
Impact on Student Life
Students are experiencing significant adjustments to their daily routines. The most direct impact has been on residents of Roschel College House, which was closed for a second night on Sunday. The college's housing staff is in direct communication with the affected students to coordinate alternative accommodations.
While Roschel remains closed, all other residence halls are operating on emergency generators. As a precaution, students have been advised not to use elevators in these buildings.
Essential Services Remain Open
To support students remaining on campus, the college has ensured that some essential services are still available. The Ben Franklin Dining Hall, which has full power, will operate on extended hours from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. continuously on Monday. Students are encouraged to use the space for meals and as a community gathering area.
"The Ben Franklin Dining Hall will remain open until 9 p.m. Sunday and will open again on Monday, with extended hours from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., continuously. The dining hall has full power, and students are encouraged to visit for meals and community space," the college's communication office stated.
In addition, the Student Wellness Center is scheduled to be open during its normal business hours on Monday. The campus Wi-Fi network also remains functional in all locations that currently have power, allowing students to stay connected.
Emergency Contact Information
For any immediate emergencies, students and staff are instructed to contact Campus Police directly at 717-358-3939.
Ongoing Repair Efforts
The college has confirmed that its maintenance teams are working in collaboration with crews from PPL Electric to address the issue. The repair work is a top priority, with personnel on-site around the clock to complete the necessary repairs and bring the campus back to normal operations.
The initial problem was identified as a transformer malfunction that occurred on Saturday morning. The complexity of the repair means that a precise timeline for full power restoration has not yet been established.
The college administration has committed to providing another update on the situation on Monday morning as more information becomes available from the repair teams. The community is advised to monitor official communication channels for the latest information on class schedules and the reopening of campus facilities.
