Photo courtesy of Ride For The Brand

A water leak in Chozen Hall damaged portions of the building’s first and second floors Tuesday, forcing several McNeese State University offices to temporarily relocate while the university assesses the damage. 

At 9:55 p.m. Tuesday, McNeese notified the campus that offices in Chozen Hall would temporarily move operations to Parra Ballroom in the New Ranch, also known as the Old Student Union Annex. 

The relocated offices include Financial Aid and Scholarships, the Registrar’s Office, Student Central, Advising, Admissions, International Advising and Dual Enrollment. 

Richard R. Rhoden, interim director of Facilities and Plant Operations, said a fitting on a chilled-water line serving the building’s HVAC system appears to have come loose. The leak may have been running for about two hours before water reached fire alarm components and triggered an alert that led personnel to discover the flooding. 

Rhoden said much of the front portion of the first and second floors sustained varying levels of water damage. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed. 

On Wednesday, the university announced additional changes related to the relocation: 

• The fee payment deadline was extended to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27. 
• Students will be dropped for nonpayment Monday, Aug. 31. 
• The reinstatement deadline remains 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1. 
• Initial Attendance Verification rosters will open Tuesday, Sept. 1. 

The entire Library parking lot will be reserved for faculty and staff during the temporary relocation. 

According to Rhoden, drying and damage assessments will continue through the weekend and next week. Repairs are expected to include flooring, ceiling tiles, wall patching and painting. Currently, there is no estimated date for the offices to return to Chozen Hall.