Murray, Ky. — An explosion at J.H. Richmond Hall on Wednesday afternoon, June 28 caused structural damage to the residential facility as well as other surrounding campus buildings. In the aftermath of the incident, the Murray State community assessed, rallied and responded to the needs of both Murray State students as well as visitors to campus.
Preparations continue to be made for the first day of classes for the Fall 2017 semester, which will be Tuesday, August 15.
All Murray State students living on campus this summer to take classes, as well as camp visitors, were quickly accounted for following the incident. Approximately 45 University staff helped move nearly 70 University students who were residing this summer at Hester Hall, located alongside Richmond Hall. Beginning Friday evening, June 30 and continuing late that night into the weekend, staff entered Hester Hall to remove belongings individually by room. These items were loaded by truck and delivered to alternate on-campus housing at White Hall. From there, staff assisted students in bringing belongings into their new rooms to make the transition as seamless as possible.
In the interim period while students could not access their rooms, University staff purchased toiletries, bedding, towels and other essentials for students who were displaced.
Campus visitors who were impacted also included camp participants in Adventures in Math and Science, Governor Scholars Program and Commonwealth Honors Academy, who were staying in areas of campus which were affected.
Soon after the incident, the University helped relocate campers to other residential halls on campus. The Curris Center became a central hub for campers. A call station was set up for parents to communicate with their children. Programs continued within the Curris Center, and on-site food service was offered in the Thoroughbred Room as Winslow Dining Hall was unavailable.
University staff continued to keep the campus and external community informed through regular updates at murraystate.edu, including a letter from Murray State President Bob Davies.
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