Officials at Columbia’s Stephens College say Searcy and Prunty halls remain closed Thursday afternoon, after both halls were evacuated due to an elevated level of carbon monoxide.
Stephens president Dr. Shannon Lundeen has written an email to all students, faculty and staff, saying all students are safe and that every impacted student has appropriate accommodations and support.
President Lundeen says a carbon monoxide sensor was activated Wednesday evening in Searcy Hall and that a resident advisor immediately called 911. Based on an on-site assessment from Columbia firefighters and Stephens College Facilities staff, the decision was made to shut down both boilers there. Dr. Lundeen says students were evacuated and that those who wanted to be evaluated were taken to Boone Hospital and were assessed by medical professionals. All were allowed to return to campus.
Stephens also says a professional third party firm is coming to Stephens to conduct an assessment of every building and that a full assessment and inspection will be conducted.