By Nastacia Voisin |
A bolt of lightning struck the Bell Tower last Sunday around noon, causing a campus-wide power-surge that affected computers and telephone connections.
On Monday, departments and individuals across campus reported phone or electronic failures to the Technical Services help desk. At least 35 help desk tickets were registered as of Tuesday.
St. Mary’s Student Center and the Chapel of Christ the Teacher bore the worst of the surge due to their proximity to the Bell Tower. Campus Ministry, ASUP and Student Activities temporarily lost all phone service. At least two computers – both Macintoshes – and a phone will need to be a replaced.
Senior Marissa Birmingham witnessed the lightning strike from Bauccio Commons.
“There was a really bright light through the window,” Birmingham said. “And then a crash of thunder that was really loud, right after.”
According to Dallas Korn, UP’s network and telecom specialist, the Bell Tower functioned as a lightning rod, channeling electrical pressure through UP’s underground data and phone cabling. The surge mainly affected the older campus phone service.
Korn says desktop and phone outages resulting from storm activity is unprecedented at UP.
“I’ve been here eight years, and we’ve had some lighting strikes, but nothing this bad,” Korn said.
Information Services has been working since Monday morning to restore the damaged systems and all campus desktops and phones should be functioning.
