Contractors are assessing and fixing the damage to Colby Hall after a ruptured pipe in the attic flooded the hall and left about half of its residents displaced.
According to TCU Housing and Residential Life, Monday’s flood impacted the second and third floors of the hall, which accommodates 327 residents.
While the university is physically repairing the building, students are responsible for any property damage their belongings sustained in the flood. Students who have purchased third-party renters insurance are eligible for damages, but the many who do not have insurance will need to cover these costs themselves.
According to Housing and Residence Life’s latest update, second and third-floor residents are expected to be able to return to their rooms in the next two weeks.
Holly Ellman, the associate director of communications, said students whose rooms were not damaged began returning to the dorm on Tuesday. Those displaced by the flooding have had mixed results finding alternative housing.
“They offered me a mattress on the floor of a study room on the boy’s floor of Sherley that didn’t have a lock,” said Erin, a first-year resident of Colby Hall who requested to be identified by her first name only
Other students have opted to find their own housing until better options are provided. Some have moved into sorority houses or friends’ rooms. Some, including Erin, have gone to nearby hotels, but room rates are at a premium because of homecoming weekend.
“We understand that temporary accommodations aren’t the same as being in your Colby room,” said Craig Allen, the Executive Director of Housing and Fraternity/Sorority Life, “but our goal is to keep students on campus, close to classes, friends and other campus resources.”
Additionally, some students have reported that valuables left in their rooms have been stolen in this process. At least one report has been filed with TCU PD for theft.
For more updates, TCU is keeping a record of all communication regarding residential displacement and building repairs.
This is an ongoing story.
