We are now in a position to confirm that the damage to Brandon Hall from Saturday morning's fire will mean students will not be able to return to the building for a considerable length of time. While it is still too early to say how long it will take to make all of the repairs, the University is coordinating a long-term plan to provide accommodation for the 580 students from Brandon Hall.

Now that the Fire Marshall has turned the building back over to the University we will be able to allow additional student access. On Monday first floor students are asked to meet at 1 p.m. in front of Brandon, third floor students should gather at 2 p.m. Student from floors one through three and four through 11 who have not yet been able to access the building should meet at 3 p.m.

Since the heaviest damage was on the second floor it is unsafe for students from the second floor to enter their rooms. Arrangements have been made to securely remove their essential items and these can be picked up at 4 p.m. at a location that will be available in the noon Daily News information update on Monday.

If these times do not work for your son or daughter, please ask them to visit the Commons help desk to confirm other arrangements.

An information meeting for parents and students is scheduled for Monday, October 20 at 7 p.m. in the Michael DeGroote Centre for Learning, Room 1305. Updated information on the housing plan for students will be available.

As the President has stated in his message to the community, we are committed to providing accommodation and to helping students whose midterm exams and assignments may have been impacted by the fire. The associate deans of each Faculty are ready to help students with any required accommodations. (All phone extensions can be reached through the University's main number at 905-525-9140.)

Faculty of Business

Nick Bontis

ext.23918

nbontis@mcmaster.ca

Faculty of Engineering

Ken Coley

ext. 24646

adeaneng@mcmaster.ca

Faculty of Humanities

David Wright

ext. 26546

adeanhum@mcmaster.ca

Faculty of Science

Allison Sills

ext. 27590

adeansci@mcmaster.ca

Faculty of Social Sciences

Susan Watt

ext. 23771

adeansco@mcmaster.ca

Arts and Science Program

Peter Sutherland

ext. 24656

asdir@mcmaster.ca

Bachelor of Health Sciences

Del Harnish

ext. 22815

harnishd@mcmaster.ca

School of Nursing

Janet Landeen

ext. 22699

landeen@mcmaster.ca

The evacuation centre in the Smith Gym at the Ivor Wynne Centre continues to be available for students who are not able to make alternate accommodation arrangements.

We hope you find these information updates helpful. We will continue to provide updates through the Daily News, through the Commons help desk and postings in the evacuation centre.

The McMaster University Crisis Management Team

Message to Brandon Hall parents

This weekend's fire at Brandon Hall has caused anxiety and concern for both students and parents as you have dealt with the evacuation and uncertainty of when students would regain access to the building.

The University's Crisis Management Group is responsible for dealing with such emergencies and we have been working closely with the Hamilton Fire Department, Hamilton Police and the Ontario Fire Marshall's Office to assist in any way we can with their investigations. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

Four students were hurt in the fire. Three needed to be taken to hospital for smoke inhalation. The parents of these students were contacted early this morning and as of Saturday afternoon one student had been discharged from hospital.

We appreciate the patience and understanding students have shown throughout the day as they waited for information and an opportunity to retrieve some of their personal belongings. Fire officials and police determined that we were able to allow students from the 4th through 11th floors to get essential items from their rooms. Unfortunately, they have not yet been in a position to allow students from the first to third floors into the building.

Damage to the building is extensive and we will inform you as soon as possible when the building will be re-opened. Brandon Hall will be closed on Sunday.

In the meantime, we have established in partnership with the Red Cross an evacuation centre in the Smith Gym at Ivor Wynn Centre. Cots are available along with personal care items. Residence life staff will be on duty at the evacuation centre. Students in need of assistance, who would like to access university counseling or other services, are encouraged to speak to residence life staff for help.

Many students have tests on Monday. If a student feels able to write his or her exam they should attend the exam as scheduled. Those who require any academic accommodation for missed work or missed exams should contact their Faculty office Monday morning to speak with the associate dean.

We will continue to provide information updates as they're available through the Daily News, the Commons service desk at 905-525-9140, ext. 27222 and at the evacuation centre.

Sincerely,

McMaster Crisis Management Group