Behind the Scenes of a Campus Blackout

From light to darkness, the flip of a switch altered Neumann University’s schedule. On Tuesday March 14th, around 2:20 p.m., campus was affected by a power outage, which resulted in evening classes being cancelled.

^“ The power outage was caused by a tree falling onto PECO Power Lines down where Legion Road ties into Old Pennell Road” said Facilities/Operations & Maintenance Director William Leonard “This outage affected all of the homes/buildings along Convent and Legion Roads from below the Hermitages and up to the Chiara House, located on Aston Mills Road.”

Whenever an outage occurs Leonard takes steps to investigate the root of the problem. Canceling classes is under the discretion of the provost’s office in collaboration with the president, campus safety, facilities, and the local utility companies.

When asked about the process, Leonard gave the step-by-step protocol.

“First, we investigate to determine if the outage is building specific or if it affects multiple buildings on campus. Next, we verify emergency generators are operating and providing power to the buildings as designed. Then we reach out to our Exelon Energy Account Representative and inform her of the outage and the buildings/accounts affected. Then we contact the PECO Emergency Number to inform them of an outage on campus. Lastly, we maintain communication channels with our Exelon representative until the power has been restored.”

Initially, right after the outage, people continued to work in the library, and some classes continued to run.

Professor Janis Chakars’ Beyond Breaking News class did not let the power outage hold them back. They continued to work hard and even welcomed special guest Athletic Communications Director, Jill Weigel, to interview for their upcoming sports stories.

Junior Rachel Meehan was diligently working in the library when the outage occurred. It was her first time ever being on campus during a power outage. “I have been at Neumann when the Wi-Fi was out” Meehan stated, “but I have never been here for a power outage.”

Meehan was not the only one experiencing her first power outage. This was also Provost Katie Barnes’ first outage. Barnes is an important figure when it comes to what the outcome will be with classes.

“Safety of our community is the number 1 priority” stated Barnes “On the date in question, the power was out sporadically about campus for two hours. Buildings were becoming dark and cool, and I knew that evening classes were starting, so we made the call to cancel evening classes.”

As a result of this decision, all those in the library were asked to leave. “Everyone was confused why they had to leave because the Wi-Fi was working. Some seemed annoyed that the library closed cause they felt they were still capable of doing work,” stated Meehan.

Unfortunately, this is not the only time our campus has experienced a power outage. “The past couple of years, we have been averaging around two outages per year. The culprits include trees falling onto the power lines or vehicle accidents which affect utility poles causing a loss of power,” said Leonard.

While one never enjoys a power outage Leonard tries to look on the positive side. He shared that “these outages give me a chance to reach out to a few of the colleagues I worked with during my 20 years with Exelon Energy.” He enjoys having the opportunity to connect with those he spent so much time working with in the past.

Luckily, the outage did not last too long and by the next day everything was up and running back to normal again. The power outage problem became a story of the past.