On Wednesday, January 26, students, staff and faculty were evacuated from the F.W. Olin Center, Integrated Science and Engineering Complex, and Bailey Hall following a reported gas leak in the Olin Center. A RAVE Alert was sent out to the campus at 12:13 p.m. via email and text message explaining that the Olin Center will be closed until further notice.

The Olin Center was re-opened at approximately 1:08 p.m. according to a second RAVE Alert sent out to students. National Grid and campus facilities were involved with the work done at the building.

Upon further investigation, it was found that the reported leak was incorrect, as there was no actual gas. According to Philip Wajda, Union College’s Director of Media and Public Relations, “There was no gas leak. Someone reported a possible smell of gas. However, gas was never found and the meters never indicated that there was gas present in the spaces, including Olin.”