Dear Residents,

The University of Houston including UH at Sugar Land and UH at Katy, is experiencing considerable disruptions as a result of power outages and low water pressure on campus. These issues are citywide and cannot be mitigated. A majority of the campus has lost heat in buildings, hot water, drinking water and the ability to flush toilets due to low or no water pressure across the city of Houston.

A boil water notice is now in effect for the city of Houston until further notice. Tap water is unsafe to drink. The UH central plant, which supplies steam to heat buildings and hot water throughout campus, cannot operate under the current water pressure conditions. This is causing significant impacts to buildings across campus. We are experiencing the following a result of low to no water pressure in Houston and its impact to the UH central power plant:

• A majority of UH buildings have lost heat
• A majority of UH buildings do not have water
• A majority of UH buildings have lost the ability to flush toilets

Limited food service is being provided in the Student Center, and we are working on deliveries of bottled water and portable toilets to campus as these resources become available. All available drinking water has been distributed, more is on order and portable toilets are being set up at residence halls.

Several of our residential buildings are subject to the rolling blackouts being experienced across the region. We have moved a significant number of our campus residents impacted by the loss of power in Moody Towers, Bayou Oaks, Cougar Place and Cougar Village II to other residence halls that do have power. All requests to move have been accommodated. We are making every effort to accommodate all students with COVID-19 health and safety considerations in mind.

Please be assured that the University of Houston is exhausting all options in an effort to keep our students and campus community safe. Your health and safety are our first considerations.

While the most immediate impact of heat and water issues have been felt within our on-campus residents and dining services, this is a campus-wide event. All non-essential employees should avoid coming to campus until power and water are restored. At this time, we have canceled classes and all activities through Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021 including all in-person and online classes and exams.

Students are understandably concerned about the impact this has on their ability to conduct coursework and prepare for upcoming exams. Faculty are concerned about the ability to make up lost class time. The university is committed to being compassionate and flexible as we recover from this event. Faculty will be adjusting academic and coursework deadlines accordingly. Information regarding the make-up of missed classes will be conveyed next week.

Our Emergency Operations team and department liaisons are addressing issues as they arise, to the extent possible. We appreciate your patience as well get through this unprecedented winter weather situation together.

For the latest updates, please visit uh.edu/emergency. If you need assistance, contact your hall front desk or your Residential Life Coordinator.

Student Housing & Residential Life
Housing@uh.edu
713.743.6000

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