Updates on our remediation plans for Poe Hall

Good morning,

As I shared in my last message to our community about Poe Hall, the university remains committed to keeping you informed on any decisions and progress regarding the building. Since that time, we’ve updated the Poe Hall Updates website with answers to several new questions we’ve received. We’ll continue to share new information with you as we have it. Over the past few weeks, we have also reviewed the environmental testing results, consulted with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and developed a preliminary plan for Poe Hall’s renovation.

Poe Hall’s design is atypical in both the configuration and volume of its heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) ductwork. With that in mind, we have concluded that the bulk removal of the entirety of the HVAC systems, interior and exterior walls, paneled facade and windows is the most effective — and possibly most expeditious — pathway to address this unique situation.

As we continue to plan the remediation of Poe Hall, I want to reassure you that we will let you know whenever we have new details to share about the renovation and the timeline. In the meantime, I have a few updates regarding space, our work with outside agencies, other proceedings and what we know right now as far as timing.

College of Education

Renovating and modernizing Poe Hall will take time. To minimize disruption and encourage faculty, staff and students to settle into their new spaces, we intend for the College of Education to remain in the Center for Technology and Innovation while renovations take place. We will continue to review the space needs of the college pending completion of the renovation. If renovations extend past the current leasing agreement, the university will negotiate a new lease with the owners. 

During the renovation planning process, representatives from the college will join the design committee to help transform Poe Hall into a welcoming, efficient and permanent home for its students, faculty and staff and will also accommodate growth. More information and next steps for the college will be shared in the coming weeks.

Department of Psychology

Due to the size and needs of the Department of Psychology, the third and fourth floors of 111 Lampe Drive will become the new, permanent home for the department. We will work with the department on renovation plans for the building, ensuring that faculty, staff and students will relocate to a space that suits their needs. Please be on the lookout for updated information about timelines and interim space in the weeks ahead. 

Outside Agencies

We have shared the testing data and the university’s initial plans for the remediation of Poe Hall with the EPA. In the coming weeks, we will submit a formal notification and application for remediation plans in accordance with EPA requirements. We will remain in close contact with the agency throughout our renovation process.

Both the initial phase and phase two reports were also sent to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The university continues to communicate with NIOSH regarding its ongoing Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE), which is independently developed and conducted by the agency. You can read more about the HHE process here.

Other Proceedings

In recent weeks, you may have heard about legal proceedings related to Poe Hall. The university respects the rights of all individuals to pursue legal claims. Some of the litigation involves identifying the correct rules and processes for individuals and the university to follow in order to pursue information they are seeking to proceed with claims. Litigation is often a long process, and the university continues to balance complying with discovery and responding in litigation with other interests, including making plans for next steps in the remediation process.

Moving Forward

While we anticipate Poe Hall will remain closed through the end of the 2024-2025 academic year, that may change as our renovation plans are finalized. I know it is not easy to transition into new spaces across campus without knowing what’s next. We will continue to provide transparency by sharing our plans early and providing timely updates throughout the renovation process.

I can assure you that our campus community will be the first to know when the timeline for building remediation is finalized. We’ll share additional information via email and on the Poe Hall Updates website as soon as we can.

Thank you,

Randy Woodson
Chancellor