Communication Updates

After very long days and very hard work by many OU staff and external vendors, university leaders are cautiously optimistic that repairs of the high temperature hot water (HTHW) system are holding and that OU is on track for full reopening prior to the start of the Winter 2026 semester.

Over the next 24-36 hours, the HTHW system will begin contributing heat to buildings that had been subjected to heat loss, which will allow supplemental heating units to begin to phase down. Starting Tuesday, limited access to these buildings will be allowed through designated entry doors.

A campus update with additional details on building access and timelines will be provided on Thursday morning.

Following pressurization of the university's high temperature hot water (HTHW) system on Tuesday, a third leak emerged due to temperature and pressure fluctuations. Many buildings on campus continue to have only partial heat, and modified university operations will remain necessary until further notice.

Supervisors in buildings with low heat are advised to continue using limited on-campus staff to manage operations. Remote work is encouraged wherever possible.

The Kresge Library building will remain closed for the remainder of the year and will reopen on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 10 a.m. Virtual reference and research help services will continue to be available 24/7, as will electronic resources that include books, journal articles, news sources and databases.

The campus community is advised that Fall 2025 Commencement exercises will proceed as planned. For more information, visit the Commencement web section.

The community is also advised that the university is executing plans to ensure that the campus is fully open and operational for the Winter 2026 semester.

The university appreciates the patience and understanding of campus community members while efforts are made to maintain campus infrastructure.

Oakland University's Fall 2025 Commencement Ceremonies will take place as scheduled in the OU Credit Union O'rena. For more information on these events, visit the Commencement web section.

In other updates:

The current high temperature hot water (HTHW) pipe repair project is proceeding on schedule with an anticipated completion date of Thursday, December 11.

Until that time, university supervisors of staff assigned to affected buildings are strongly encouraged to allow remote work to the full extent possible.

Pioneer Drive will reopen between Ravine Drive and the P-16 parking lot today.

This semester's modified final exam schedule is now complete and alternate room locations have been identified.

Some final exams will be conducted in person at West Center. On exam days, coffee service will be available from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and grab-and-go lunch service will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The university appreciates the patience and understanding of campus community members while efforts are made to maintain campus infrastructure.

To improve building security and prevent further heat loss during the HTHW system repairs, all affected buildings will now have all doors locked at all times. Pioneer Drive will remain closed in both directions between Ravine Drive and the P-16 parking lot until further notice. Kresge Library will be closed through Thursday, December 11. Campus community members with questions about the heat loss situation are encouraged to call (248) 370-2100 for assistance.

Campus community members are advised to avoid entering buildings affected by the HTHW heat shortage unless absolutely necessary, as further heat loss could risk freezing fire suppression systems. Those who must enter should use designated unlocked entrances and ensure doors fully close behind them. Supervisors are strongly encouraged to allow remote work where possible. The 2025 President’s Colloquium scheduled for this week has been postponed, the Recreation Center will be closed on Monday, December 1, while the Lowry Center and ABA Clinic will remain open as scheduled. Varner Hall has been directly impacted, and performance updates will be posted on the School of Music, Theatre and Dance website.

After the HTHW system was pressurized over the holiday break, a new leak developed due to temperature and pressure fluctuations, leaving several campus buildings with only partial heat. While the emergency campus closure will still end as planned on Monday, December 1, the university will operate under modified operations through Friday, December 5. Staff are expected to report to work unless specifically approved for remote work, and supervisors in low-heat buildings may limit on-site staffing. Students should check with instructors about class modality and location, campus residents should watch for separate Housing communications, and faculty in buildings without heat should notify students if courses move online or to alternate locations.

Repairs to the high-temperature hot water (HTHW) system are complete and have passed inspection, with work now underway to refill and pressurize the system. Normal university operations are expected to resume at 5 a.m. on Monday, December 1, and University Housing will reopen as scheduled on Sunday afternoon. The university thanks employees for their work on the repairs and appreciates the campus community’s patience and understanding.

Beginning Thursday, trucks will arrive on campus to deliver temporary heating equipment to protect fire suppression systems in unheated buildings during the Thanksgiving week closure. This equipment will only maintain temperatures just above freezing and will not make buildings usable for work or study. All in-person classes remain canceled, though some courses may continue in alternative formats if arranged by faculty. Faculty and staff should not report to campus unless designated as essential personnel. Normal university operations are expected to resume at 5 a.m. on Monday, December 1.

Plans for the Thanksgiving week campus closure remain in place due to stable operation of the high-temperature hot water (HTHW) system, supported by favorable weather and ongoing monitoring by Facilities Management. While there is still some risk of an emergency repair being needed sooner, contingency plans are being finalized and would be communicated quickly if required. To support students who may lose computer access during the closure, a temporary walk-in computer lab will be available at Oakland West Center with extended hours from November 24–26. Faculty with questions about academic spaces should contact Amy Banes-Berceli, and questions about courses should be directed to Nivedita Mukherji. Normal university operations are expected to resume at 5 a.m. on Monday, December 1.

All in-person classes scheduled between Saturday, November 22, and Wednesday, November 26, on Main Campus, in Macomb County, and at West Center are canceled due to the Thanksgiving week campus closure, but faculty may reschedule them online if students are notified by November 17. Off-campus clinical classes and PACE online courses will continue as scheduled. The university has temporarily adjusted its exam policy to allow in-person exams originally scheduled during the closure to be held December 1–3. Kresge Library will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, November 21, and reopen at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, December 1. The closure timeline may change based on weather or system conditions.

The university will close from 5 p.m. Friday, November 21, through 5 p.m. Sunday, November 30, due to urgent repairs to the high-temperature hot water system. All scheduled on-campus classes will be canceled during this time, though off-campus clinical classes and PACE online courses will continue. Some faculty may hold classes virtually, with students notified by November 17. Most campus offices will be closed, and only essential personnel will work. Faculty and staff should record the closure period as “Emergency Closings.” Students in University Housing will receive separate communications as impacts may vary. The closure schedule may change based on weather or system conditions.