EDITOR’S NOTE: When this article was first published, it insinuated that every student who lived in Hamlin Hall, Vandenberg Hall and Van Wagoner Hall was offered temporary housing in non-affected student residence buildings. Only students with non-viable addresses or extenuating circumstances were offered this. The article was updated to reflect the new information given to The Oakland Post. The Oakland Post regrets this error.
With Oakland University’s main campus being partially closed during the week before finals (12/1-12/7), due to a failed high temperature hot water (HTHW) pipe repair, Oakland University has been in constant communication with students, faculty, staff and community members at-large. In this complicated situation, it can be helpful to simplify and signify the main points of interest. Here’s a full timeline of what we know, what’s going on and what could happen.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2025
Oakland University Communications announced that campus will be closed from November 21 through November 30 due to a need to conduct emergency repairs on the high temperature hot water (HTHW) pipe.
Additionally, it was announced that classes during the closure period would be cancelled.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2025
OU Communications clarified policies put in place during the closure, including adjusting the testing rule during the week before finals and when specific buildings will be closed on Friday, November 21.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2025
It was announced through official OU Communications that there is a contingency plan in place in case of a need to shut down the campus early — due to a more immediate pipe failure.
A walk-in computer lab is established on west campus and will be open during the week of the shutdown. This lab was put in-place for students with technological needs.
In a successful repair scenario, it was subsequently announced that campus would re-open at 5 a.m., on December 1.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2025
OU Communications announced that trucks containing pipe repair and fire-suppression equipment would be arriving onto campus on Thursday.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2025 at 5 p.m.
Campus officially closes for the emergency HTHW pipe repairs.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2025
It was announced through OU Communication channels that the HTHW pipe was successfully repaired and passed the proper inspections in order to resume normal university operations. The next step was to move to “refilling and pressurizing the system.”
University housing was announced to be re-opening on Sunday, November 30 after 12 p.m., it was also reiterated that campus would re-open on Monday, December 1 at 5 a.m. as scheduled.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2025
After an announcement of successful repairs of the HTHW pipe system, OU Communications broke the news that due to a new leak emerging after a repressurization of the system — as well as a subsequent temperature fluctuation.
Due to this, it was announced that 22 buildings on campus would be impacted by the pipe leak. This impact would include a partial heating failure that affects these buildings.
The communication also laid out the groundwork for the next week, including what students, faculty and staff should expect from housing, facilities and employment.
The buildings impacted by partial heating included:
Biomedical Research Support Facility, Central Heating Plant, Dodge Hall, Elliott Hall, Engineering Center, Hamlin Hall, Hannah Hall, Hill House, Kresge Library, Math and Science Center, Meadowbrook Theater, North Foundation Hall, Oakland Center, O’Dowd Hall, Pawley Hall, Recreation and Athletic Center, South Foundation Hall, Vandenberg Hall, Van Wagoner Hall, Varner Hall, Wilson Hall East and Wilson Hall West.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2025
It was announced that part of Pioneer Drive would be P-16 and P-17 on Sunday, November 30 — until further notice.
Additionally, it was announced that specific entrances to the partial heat-affected buildings would be open to faculty and staff to enter in. People entering those buildings were advised to only enter for “absolutely necessary” reasons.
Other announcements included Varner Hall being “directly impacted” by the heat shortage, The 2025 President’s Colloquium being postponed and the Recreation and Wellness center being shut down on Monday, December 1.
WEEK OF MONDAY, 12/1-12/7 – WHERE WE ARE NOW
Students from residence halls affected by the heat shortage who do not have viable permanent addresses or who have extenuating circumstances are actively being relocated to dorms and student apartments with heat this week.
Remote work for faculty, staff and student employees is occurring and encouraged by supervisors — in lieu of in-office work.
Repairs are actively being made while campus is partially closed due to the HTHW leak.
On Monday, December 1, at 2:41 p.m., OU Communications sent out a brief update announcing that in order to prevent the loss of heat in the affected buildings, a decision was made to lock all the doors in those buildings.
Kresge Library was also announced to be closed through Thursday, December 11.
More information about the state of the HTHW repairs and the on-going situation surrounding campus-life, visit The Oakland Post for continued coverage.
If you or someone you know has questions about the HTHW pipe situation that is occurring at OU, call (248) 370-2100 for further information.
