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Electrical System Project

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve the reliability, resilience and safety of our utility system, we are conducting a comprehensive study of our electrical distribution system this summer. This study and the resulting plan will provide the necessary information and a prioritized roadmap for restoration and improvement of this critical infrastructure.

To perform this work safely, our utility P3 partners, Sacyr/Plenary and McKinstry, will shut down power to all buildings on campus in a series of planned shutdowns from June 17 to July 31. Each shutdown will begin at 7 a.m. and last approximately 10 hours.

By shutting down limited zones of the campus in succession versus concurrently, we can accommodate this work while keeping the majority of buildings open and continuing normal summer operations. Planned shutdowns are scheduled around most events, camps and other activities to minimize disruption.

Affected Buildings

  • Administration Building — June 20, 25, 26
    Point of Contact: Lee Espey/Dan Ewart/OIT
  • Ag Biology — June 19
    Point of Contact: Madison McGuire
  • Ag Science
    Point of Contact: Madison McGuire/Mark McGuire/Brett Dillon for HVAC Renovation
    • 1951 — June 19
    • 1972 — June 19
  • Albertson Building — June 25, 26
    Point of Contact: Sanjay Sisodiya
  • Archie Phinney Hall — June 27; July 22
    Point of Contact: Darrell Stout
  • Art and Architecture — June 20
    Point of Contact: Shauna Corry
    • East — Network Outage June 28; July 22
    • North — June 25
    • Shop — June 25
    • South — June 25, 26
  • University Advancement Annex — June 20, 26
    Point of Contact: Megan Pratt

  • Blake House — June 20, 26
    Point of Contact: Building Alert
  • Bookstore — June 27
    Point of Contact: Tricia Durgin
  • Brink Hall — June 27; July 22
    Point of Contact: Darrell Stout
  • Bruce M. Pitman Center — June 27
    Point of Contact: Scott Fleischman
  • Buchanan Engineering Lab — June 27
    Point of Contact: Ray Anderson

  • Dairy Center — Network Outage June 28; July 22

  • Gauss Johnson Engineering Lab — June 27
    Point of Contact: Ray Anderson
  • Gibb Hall — June 20
    Point of Contact: Tanya Miura, Amy Maestas
  • Golf Course Water Tank
    • AG Pavilion/Vandal Meats — Network Outage June 28; July 25
    • Beef Barn — Network Outage June 28; July 25
    • Farm Ops — Network Outage June 28; July 25

  • Janssen Engineering Building — June 27
    Point of Contact: Ray Anderson

  • P1FCU Kibbie Dome
    Point of Contact: KC Sheffler
    • East — June 18, 28
    • North — June 28
    • South — June 18, 28

  • Bruce M. Pitman Center — June 27
    Point of Contact: Scott Fleischman
  • P1FCU Kibbie Dome
    Point of Contact: KC Sheffler
    • East — June 18, 28
    • North — June 28
    • South — June 18, 28
  • Physical Education Building — June 28
    Point of Contact: Renee Hanson/Philip Scruggs

  • Radio/TV Center — June 20, 26
    Point of Contact: Glenn Mosley/Mike Cramblit/Justin Hinrichs
  • Rayburn Street Tennis Courts — June 18, 28
    Point of Contact: KC Sheffler
  • Renfrew Hall — June 19
    Point of Contact: Cindy Ball
  • Ridenbaugh Hall — June 20, 26
    Point of Contact: Building Alert

  • Theophilus Tower — June 19
    Point of Contact: Corey Ray/John Kosh
  • TLC/ISUB
    Point of Contact: Scott Fleischman
    • North — June 27; July 22
    • South — June 19
  • Track and Field Facility — June 28; July 25
    Point of Contact: KC Sheffler

  • University Advancement Annex — June 20, 26
    Point of Contact: Megan Pratt
  • University House — June 20, 26
    Point of Contact: Mark Stanton

  • VandalStore — June 27
    Point of Contact: Tricia Durgin
  • Virtual Technology and Interior Design — June 27; July 22
    Point of Contact: Shauna Corry

  • Wallace Complex
    Point of Contact: Corey Ray/John Kosh
    • Stevenson — June 19
    • Gooding — June 19
    • Ballard — June 19
    • Willey — June 19
    • Cafeteria — June 19
    • Trash Compactor — No longer impacted
      Point of Contact: Scott Fleischman

Buildings Not Impacted

  • J.W. Martin Lab
  • 6th Street Greenhouses
  • West Farm
  • Hartung Theater
  • Early Childhood Center – Admin
  • WWAMI – Admin
  • Forge Theater
  • Menard Law
  • Golf Course
  • Wicks Field Bathrooms
  • South Hill Apartments

FAQ

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve the reliability, resilience and safety of our utility system, we are conducting a comprehensive study of our electrical distribution system this summer. This study and the resulting plan will provide the necessary information and a prioritized roadmap for restoration and improvement of this critical infrastructure.

To perform this work safely, our partners will shut down power to all buildings on campus in a series of planned shutdowns over approximately 17 non-sequential days during the 6-week period from Monday, June 17 through Wednesday, July 31.

Each outage will start at 7 a.m. and last approximately 10 hours. If shortened, building occupants will be notified of an early startup.

Each employee should work with their supervisor and building representative to determine if critical equipment must be shut down or unplugged before the outage. Additionally, lab animals, refrigerated or frozen samples and other sensitive research must be cared for to prevent loss. Research and college leadership are working closely with Facilities and PIs to ensure that plans and contingencies are in place to ensure research integrity and care for animals. If you have additional questions, please work with your building contact to coordinate support.

The Office of Information Technology notes that although not mandatory, they strongly advise that computers, monitors, printers/copiers, conference room equipment and other electronic devices be powered off prior to the outage to minimize the risk of surge damage. These devices should remain plugged in.

No. The primary VPN gateway has a backup power source, so no outage is expected. Users will not be able to remote into their desktop in a building without power.

Evaluate your space to ensure nothing is damaged. However, if there is damage to computer equipment, please get in touch with OIT. If needing to report damages related to the power outages, please review question 12.

The schedule for shutdowns is listed above and is sorted alphabetically by building name. Please refer to the schedule for all shutdown dates for your building along with your point of contact.

Buildings that will not be affected are listed above or under question 9.

No. Most buildings will experience multiple electrical outages. However, the following buildings will not be affected by this project:

  • J.W. Martin Lab
  • 6th Street Greenhouses
  • West Farm
  • Hartung Theater
  • Early Childhood Center — Admin
  • WWAMI — Admin
  • Forge Theater
  • Menard Law
  • Golf Course
  • Wicks Field Bathrooms
  • South Hill Apartments

No. Occupants may not enter or work in a building during the planned electrical outage, except under approved circumstances because additional hazards exist, and life-safety systems may be inoperable without electricity.

Yes. Employees should work unless on approved leave. Each building and its occupants have different work needs. Supervisors should work with employees to develop strategies to continue work or plan leave during these shutdowns. These strategies can include:

  • Work from home where possible (this could include assignment of special projects that an employee would not normally do).
  • Allow for the use of annual leave.
  • Allow for flexwork options to work alternative hours/shifts.
  • Find alternative space on campus where work can be conducted.
  • Different work assignments during the shutdown period that could be done at an alternate location.
  • Special projects.
  • Professional development.

In the event equipment is damaged due to the power outage, a property loss report should be completed so the incident can be communicated to the Office of Risk Management.

Not in all cases. However, if you are experiencing any trouble, please contact Facilities to coordinate any troubleshooting and or relighting. The following buildings will have impacts related to a NG outage:

  • Niccolls
  • LLC Bldg. #1 (True Burger)
  • ISUB Kitchen
  • Renfrew

Facilities will place signage on external doors the day prior to any shutdown and remove them once the shutdown(s) is complete.

Access control to buildings without power will be impacted by the outages. However, buildings with power should not be affected, except for Art and Architecture East and the Dairy, which lose card reader functionality when Morill is powered down.

Your building may be in the situation of having power but losing network access after 1 p.m. This is because the network access is fed from the Admin building, and when it loses power, the battery backups for the network equipment will only last approximately six hours. Your best option is to save your work often. When you notice that you have lost network access, you will no longer be able to access the internet, applications or storage. You don't need to turn your computer off if you lose network access, as it should come back automatically, but we recommend you reboot your computer if you have any issues after the outage is resolved. If issues persist, please get in touch with your TSP or submit a ticket at oit.uidaho.edu.

Contact

Mailing Address:

875 Perimeter Dr. MS2281
Moscow, ID 83844-2281

For fire or life threatening emergencies — call 911 from any phone.

For assistance after business hours contact Campus Security at 208-885-7233 (SAFE).

Phone: 208-885-6246

Email: facilities@uidaho.edu