A power outage affecting electricity at 1903, Walker, and Feinberg Halls began today, Feb. 16, according to an email sent by University Housing Operations to residents of the three halls. Generators were set up to provide power to the three buildings by just after midnight.
The outage, which occurred around 2:30 p.m., has affected various systems, including electricity within dormitory rooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens, according to multiple students who spoke with The Daily Princetonian. Certain hallway and bathroom lights, heat systems, and keypads used to access individual rooms appeared to function as normal.
“We are aware of a power outage affecting 1903 Hall, Feinberg Hall and Walker Hall. Staff members from University Facilities are on site and attempting to affect repairs,” read an email sent by University Housing Operations at 3:20 p.m.
A second email sent at 9:31 p.m. offered students the chance to sleep in Dillon Gym overnight. Heating, emergency lighting, fire alarms, and access to exterior doors remained operative due to generators, according to the email. Students have been directed to Frist Campus Center and Firestone Library until 2 a.m. to charge mobile devices and to access Wi-Fi.
“Because the life safety and heating systems are working, it is safe to remain in the building,” the email reads. “For those students who choose not to remain in the buildings overnight and need a temporary housing arrangement, cots at Dillon Gym can be set up.”
At least six Department of Public Safety (PSafe) officers and University Facilities personnel, who declined to comment on the situation, responded to the outage but have not restored electricity at time of publication.
Makenna Marshall ’26, a resident of 1903 Hall, told the ‘Prince’ that she was “concerned about the food in [her] fridge,” which had lost power.
“This is a problem I expected in Houston, but not in New Jersey,” she said, referencing her hometown. “We’re supposed to have better infrastructure here.”
Unlike those of Feinberg and Walker Halls, the ID scanners on the outer doors of 1903 Hall stopped functioning.
Outside of 1903, Emma Dornseif ’25 told The Daily Princetonian that “there were PSafe officers hanging out around here, because we can’t even get into our rooms through these doors because the locks, the prox things, don’t work. They had to use an actual key to let us in.”
As students leaving 1903 Hall opened each door, PSafe and Facilities personnel propped open doors so residents stuck outside could access their dormitories.
1903 Hall resident Alexcis Johnson ’26 told the ‘Prince’ that she was surprised that backup electricity generators had not kicked in while the issue was being resolved.
“I know the weather is bad but this has never happened before,” she said. “I’m a little confused about the issue,” she added.
The ‘Prince’ could not independently verify that the outage was due to the weather. Princeton and the surrounding areas were under a high wind warning through Monday night.
Madilyn Zink ’26, also a 1903 Hall resident, was locked out of the building around 3:30 p.m. “I was in my room for a while, trying to make do without the power,” she told the ‘Prince.’ “I just left, not realizing I couldn’t get back in. Now I’m locked out,” she added.
Many students have declined the University’s offer to sleep in Dillon.
“I don’t know how I feel about that,” Diane Peck ’25, a resident of 1903, said. “I’m not sleeping on a cot, I’ll manage with my room.”
The power outage is not only limited to 1903, Walker, and Feinberg Halls, however.
Around the three halls, street lamps did not seem to have electricity, leaving the area very dark. Nassau Street experienced power outages, with walk signs not working, and some lights defaulted around 9 p.m. Additionally, students from Brown Hall, which was not affected by the power outage, reported no hot water in their dorms, while sidewalk lamps near 1903 Hall are also out. Students in 1903 also reported that hot water in the building was out.
“I think it’s a bit of a nuisance,” Peck added.
The Facilities Communications team did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.
Nico David-Fox is an assistant News editor for the ‘Prince.’ He is from Washington, D.C. and typically covers University operations.
Luke Grippo contributed reporting.
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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