UPDATE 1:07 p.m. - After a major water line broke at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning, crews worked to open all four affected buildings. Currently, Longwood's Greenwood Library is available to students as well as the Center for Communication Studies and Theater (CSTAC), while Bedford and Wygal Halls remain closed indefinitely.
While fixing the water main, the crews shut off the line causing Stubbs residence hall, previously unaffected, to lose water because it is on the same water loop as the four other buildings.
"It's an ongoing situation and there's no end timetable right now. We're working to resolve it as quickly as possible," said Matthew McWilliams, Longwood's director of communications and media relations.
Longwood's Office of Academic Affairs worked with faculty and staff members to have all exams either postponed or relocated, according to McWilliams.
The crews continue to work on fixing the source of the break "as fast as they can."
"There are crews out there digging and they're trying to fix it," said McWilliams. "Until it is fixed, the water will be off."
In response to the difficulties the water line burst presented students during their final exam week, different areas such as the Student Union and parts of Ruffner and Grainger create more study space and use printers.
"It's really great to see that as soon as all the professors and staff members saw there was a need for space where students could study they opened their doors," said McWilliams. "It was great to see the community come together and help each other out."
9:00 a.m. - A major water line broke along Race Street, leaving four buildings on Longwood's campus without power and some without water during final exams on Tuesday, Dec. 8. The main buildings affected are the Center for Communication Studies and Theatre (CSTAC), Bedford Hall, Wygal Hall, and the Greenwood Library, according to Longwood Police Lt. Ray Ostrander.
The Greenwood Library is shut down due to the lack of power, their automatic front doors unable to open. Ostrander confirmed that both CSTAC and Bedford are without water.
"There may be some reduction of water today until we can get this fix because it is a major, major line," said Ostrander.
The break was first found around 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning. Currently, workers are looking for the location of the break in the water line, according to Ostrander.
Longwood's Office of Academic Affairs is "currently working on an alternative exam schedule" due to the break, said Ostrander.
Acting Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs Larissa Smith Fergeson was entering an emergency meeting at 8:30 a.m. and was unavailable for comment.
It is unknown if the exams scheduled for 8 a.m. in those buildings were affected.
An E2Campus notification sent at 7:47 a.m. said, "Faculty in those buildings who have exams scheduled will contact students. All other exams scheduled today on campus will proceed as normal."
The official cause of the break is unknown, but Ostrander cited "normal wear and tear" as a potential reason.
The Rotunda will continue to update the story as it develops.
